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.

Over Saturday and Sunday, November 4 & 5 there were 784 fires recorded. The actual number of fires started by fireworks will not be known for a few days, but it is also expected to top last year's record of 700 over the ten-day sale period.

The total number of fires over the sale period has now increased every year for the past five years, from 702 in 2001 to this year's new record high. Fire Service chief executive / national commander Mike Hall says the unfortunate result vindicates his call for a retail ban on fireworks, made last month.

'Despite warnings and a safety campaign, and even with parts of the country being much wetter than they were last year, firefighters were still called out more times than ever. That means that firefighters cannot respond as quickly as they would like to genuine emergencies, and thousands of volunteers across the country are needlessly called away from work and family commitments.'

Mr Hall says the public are also sick of the danger to themselves, property and pets posed by misuse of fireworks, not to mention the late-night noise and mess associated with people letting off fireworks indiscriminately. He says the lack of a major fireworks-related fire or fatality at the weekend was pure luck.

'As I said last month, and opinion polls since have backed this up, New Zealand is ready to see fireworks restricted to those professionals who know how to handle them.'