Northern Territory emergency services say firefighters responded to more than 100 incidents during the Territory Day celebrations.
Most important points:
- Police said there were no reports of significant property damage
- Emergency services said some people had aimed fireworks at fire trucks
- Police said recent weather was favorable to moderate the fires
Last night, thousands of tons of fireworks were set off in the Northern Territory during the one night of the year when it is legal to set off fireworks.
NT Police Watch Commander Josh Cunningham said people were mostly well behaved, but the wind kept firefighters busy.
“They seemed to have everything under control last night,” he said.
“There were a lot of grass fires, I think the weather of the past few days, with a little rain, luckily cooperated.
“But [there was] no damage or major material damage.”
Mr Cunningham said emergency services were disappointed after some Territory Day revelers aimed fireworks at firefighters at night.
“That happened a few times last night, so that was disappointing,” he said.
“But luckily no damage, no injuries. But it was disgusting behavior.”
Joshua Fischer, assistant fire officer with the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service, also criticized the behavior of some people around the emergency services.
†[The] majority of the audience were well behaved. However, it was disappointing to see some of our firefighters dealing with people acting irresponsibly with fireworks,” he said.
“There have been reports of fireworks being set off toward fire-extinguishing vehicles while crews were present at incidents and from high-rise balconies.”
Mr Fischer said the crews had stretched out overnight and sometimes tried to attend several fires at once.
“Our regular duty crews, with the support of our volunteers, have worked tirelessly to protect property and thankfully no structures were lost,” he said.
Mr Fischer said people in the Northern Territory should remain vigilant and watch for fires throughout the weekend.
He also said it is now illegal to set off fireworks.
“The public is also being reminded that while you can legally own fireworks until Monday, July 4, it is now illegal to set off unused fireworks,” he said.
NT police attended at least one fatal incident last night – a car accident in Darwin – but police did not say it was related to the Territory Day celebrations.
Police were called to a collision on Stuart Highway near Winnellie at approximately 10 p.m. Friday evening after reports that a pedestrian had been hit by a vehicle.
The male pedestrian died at the scene, according to police.
Police said the driver remained at the scene until police arrived and later gave negative results for alcohol and drugs.
Posted † updated