The total number of fires recorded over the ten-day Guy Fawkes sale period has topped the previous high-water mark, set in 2005. Preliminary fire statistics show there were 1729 fires across New Zealand between October 27 and November 5, compared with 1632 in 2005.

Firefighters in Palmerston North attended a house fire caused by fireworks this afternoon. The occupants called 111 at 2.30pm, after one or more fireworks were set alight on the upper storey of the Awapuni home.

Fire Service figures are already painting a bleak picture of the annual Guy Fawkes sale period, with figures showing there were more than 300 fires over the first three days of the 10-day period.

The New Zealand public is ready for a ban on the retail sale of fireworks, says Fire Service chief executive/national commander Mike Hall, who is calling for a ban from 2007 on.

Building owners are reminded that new fire regulations came into force on October 1, 2006.

The New Zealand Fire Service is heralding a nationwide first as a local territorial authority plans to give a discount to homeowners who install sprinklers

Monday 5 June 2006 The Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) has today indicated that the more readily available ionisation smoke alarms purchased by most Australian householders may not be as effective, in all circumstances, as photo-electric smoke alarms. These conclusions have been reached by AFAC as a result of early findings from research being conducted by the fire industry's Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) on its behalf. The findings of this research conclude that photo-electric alarms are consistently more effective than ionisation alarms at detecting smouldering fires in homes.

The future shape and funding of the nation's fire and rescue services will be the focus of a workshop Internal Affairs Minister, Rick Barker, is planning.

After a spate of serious fires across New Zealand in the past 24 hours, the Fire Service has reminded people that fire protection is vital in all homes.

The debate has been raised this week about what types of smoke alarms should be installed in homes. The Fire Service says people should not lose faith in smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms are far better than no smoke alarms at all.

The Fire Service's internal communication systems meant that news of a tsunami alert for parts of New Zealand was passed to all regions within half an hour of word being received.

Two Christchurch house fires within an hour of each other have given a graphic demonstration of the value of home sprinklers.

Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker has announced appointments to the New Zealand Fire Service Commission today.

Two North Island firefighters will use a State scholarship to research overseas programmes child fire-setting.

Smoke alarms are sounding the charge for an amazing shift in attitudes to fire safety amongst New Zealanders. And the Fire Service is delighted.

Warehouse and factory owners are leaving themselves, their neighbours and the environment open to needless destruction, firefighters warn. The warning follows two disastrous chemical fires in Tauranga and Hastings.

A single sprinkler head is being credited with preventing tens of millions of dollars damage and saving close to 100 jobs in Northland.

The Fire Service and the Gisborne District mayor have joined in a call for more volunteer firefighters on the East Coast following the Kawakawa Hotel fire in Te Araroa.