Belief Tomahawk blaze was started by fireworks

Fireworks are believed to have started a large vegetation fire at Tomahawk Lagoon last night.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said emergency services received multiple calls about a bush fire at the entrance to the beach at Tomahawk about 8.20pm.

He said initially only one fire appliance from St Kilda was sent, but it quickly became apparent the fire was out of control.

The incident was "escalated" and additional appliances were sent from Lookout Point, Dunedin Central and Roslyn, as well as two rural fire trucks.

At the height of the incident, the fire was about 100m long by a couple of metres deep, the spokesman said. 

Fortunately, no houses or other property were in any danger of damage and crews at the scene believed the blaze was started by fireworks, he said.

Janice Murray said she watched the blaze take hold from her house in Highcliff Rd "with concern".

"The fire was well ablaze and travelling fast. With the dry vegetation and really windy conditions we were fearful that the fire was about to engulf the dunes and residences.

"Thankfully, the firefighters managed to contain the fire very quickly."

A police spokeswoman said officers closed roads in the area for several hours while the blaze was being extinguished.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz