Whakatane fireworks to return, years after fiery disaster

Whakatane will have a public fireworks show this year - the first since 2009, when 40 minutes' worth of bangers exploded in about 40 seconds.

Thousands of dollars' worth of pyrotechnics went off at once in the fiery mishap, brilliantly lighting up the Bay of Plenty sky, but also causing a large scrub fire. It was just amazing, it was spectacular," Raewyn, an eyewitness, told News hub in 2009. "It was like a bonfire and it went right across the whole entire bank.

Two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries after the accident.

Link