Torrens Riverbank catches alight in New Year’s Eve fireworks display
Part of the Torrens Riverbank was briefly set alight in last night’s 9pm fireworks – the crowd applauding the swift moves to extinguish the fire.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Adelaide’s first celebration of the end of 2019 was almost a disaster when the 9pm fireworks display set a section of the River Torrens alight.
Thousands of people leapt to their feet as a section of grassland on the northern bank of the river, adjacent to the River Torrens footbridge, burst into flame just after 9pm.
The fire, which spread several metres and reached roughly five to eight metres into the air, was quickly extinguished by a fireworks technician carrying a water hose.
It comes just a day after two Adelaide City Councillors called for a laser lightshow to replace the fireworks.
The 50,000-strong crowd responded with thunderous applause and then host Tom Rehn paid special tribute to firefighters working across the state and country to quell the bushfire crisis.
After the fire was extinguished the crowd loudly cheered before a final firework then erupted to some laughs.
The City Council will discuss the idea of a laser lightshow instead of the fireworks at its first meeting of 2020, after Cr Alex Hyde lodged a motion to scap them.
He said he was unsure if a light show would be cheaper.
The fire was situated south of the entrance to the footbridge, not far from the steps leading to Adelaide Oval.
Witnesses told how quickly fire crews brought the fire under control.
Despite the close call, the midnight fireworks went ahead as planned after extra resources were brought in.
It was a generally quiet night in the city.
The Advertiser witnessed a few arrests along Hindley Street shortly after midnight.
Police said there was “nothing significant” reported as at 2am.
A spokeswoman said there had been a few arrests for drunk and disorderly behaviour.
