Illegal fireworks believed to have sparked fires, injuries as SA celebrates NYE

Multiple fires were feared to have been caused by illegal NYE fireworks, with one person suffering facial injuries.

Illegal fireworks exploded in a man’s face and reportedly sparked at least five fires overnight as people ignored warnings about unauthorised pyrotechnics.

Metropolitan and country firefighters were called to at least five incidents across the state, believed to have been sparked by illegal fireworks, with others suspected but unconfirmed.

Among the most serious of them was a blaze at Highbury, where emergency services were called just before 10pm on Tuesday over reports of a blaze in the scrub near Lower North East Road.

Used fireworks found at Aurkos Lookout on Lower North East Rd, Highbury. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Crews were able to quickly put out the blaze, which burned through about a hectare.

Illegal fireworks set off in Adelaide's north overnight. Picture: Supplied

Police have launched a probe, stating initial investigations found the fire could have been started by illegal fireworks.

Assistant Commissioner Yvette Clark said crime-scene investigators would be investigating on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a Robe man sustained facial injuries when an illegal firework went off in his face overnight.

His injuries were non-life-threatening but he was been taken to hospital for treatment.

On Wednesday, Assistant Commissioner Clark said illegal fireworks posed serious to the dangers to the community.

“The concerns we have about people using illegal fireworks is that they’re not trained, they’re not experts, and they don’t understand what they’re dealing with,” she said.

“The dangers are that they can’t control where those fireworks land, and that can create bushfire hazards, house-fire hazards. These things are equally dangerous in an urban area as it is in a rural area, as well as the risk of injury is quite severe.

“You’re talking about explosives, and generally, people don’t fare well when they are in contact with explosives when they go off.”

The illegal fireworks at Aurkos Lookout on Lower North East Rd, Highbury were suspected to have started a scrub fire. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Used fireworks found at Aurkos Lookout on Lower North East Rd, Highbury. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Those caught with illegal fireworks could face a penalties of up to $5000.

She said anyone who wanted to surrender or dispose of their fireworks could turn them in at a police station.

“It’s a much better option than having an accidental discharge of some sort that creates danger,” she said.

“If they do decide to use them … we’re asking the community to let us know and we will respond and see if we can locate them and deal with the matter to improve the safety of everyone concerned in the area.”

Residents took to social media to express concerns around the unauthorised pyrotechnics, with one northern suburbs resident reporting illegal fireworks set their neighbour’s front yard on fire.

Police are asking anyone with information about the Highbury fire to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or phone [phone].

Information can be supplied anonymously.

Originally published as Illegal fireworks believed to have sparked fires, injuries as SA celebrates NYE