A group of men allegedly shot fireworks at police “causing a near miss” after also taking aim at a fire truck in Dunedin\u2019s student quarter last night, police say.<\/p>\n
Police were called to Castle St North at 9.50pm yesterday after receiving “multiple calls of about 50 males shooting fireworks at each other”, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said.<\/p>\n
A firetruck was also shot at with the pyrotechnics.<\/p>\n
Officers spoke to the group about the fireworks but a 20-year-old man continued to behave disorderly, Snr Sgt Bond said. \u00a0<\/p>\n
He was arrested but released a short time later.<\/p>\n
“Whilst police were returning to the patrol vehicle, a group of males intentionally shot fireworks in their direction, causing a near miss.”<\/p>\n
One of the men attempted to flee police, but was identified and later arrested for disorderly behaviour, Snr Sgt Bond said.<\/p>\n
The man, also a 20-year-old, was held in custody overnight and released this morning with a warning.<\/p>\n
No-one appeared to have been hit by the fireworks, Snr Sgt Bond said.<\/p>\n
He urged the public to be sensible with fireworks.<\/p>\n
“They are explosives and can cause serious injuries, hence why the timeframe for selling them continues to be shorter and shorter each year.”<\/p>\n
University of Otago student Jonathan McCabe said he witnessed the “rakish fireworks battle” across Castle St while walking home from a friend\u2019s house last night.<\/p>\n
Crowds had gathered and at one point there were five police cars on the corner of Dundas St. \u00a0<\/p>\n
One house was hit leading to a fire large enough for a fire truck to arrive on the scene, Mr McCabe said.<\/p>\n
“Students continued to aim fireworks at the truck upon arrival.<\/p>\n
“Previous to this my friend witnessed some students shooting a firework at a car driving down the street.”<\/p>\n
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman confirmed crews were dispatched to the North Dunedin area, just after 10pm last night, following reports of a house fire.<\/p>\n
“There were reports of people in the street letting off fireworks.”<\/p>\n
A small fire was found inside a bedroom but it was out on arrival.<\/p>\n
There was no indication to say it was as a result of or related to fireworks, the spokesman said.<\/p>\n