KEY POINTS:
Police in Christchurch have charged five youths with arson after two fireworks-related fires.
Police said today a toilet at Crosby Park in suburban Avonhead was set alight last night.
A detective working in the area saw smoke from the building and used a fire extinguisher to quell the
blaze.
Three youths -- one 16-year-old and two 15-year-olds -- were arrested nearby.
Two other youths were charged overnight with setting fire to a suburban Burnside building early last Saturday morning.
Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Wormald, of Papanui police, said fireworks had been used in both arsons with other combustible materials.
He warned parents to ensure they knew where their children were and pointed to penalties for arson of up to 14 years' jail.
"Given the potential for serious damage to property and the risk of injury or loss of life as a result of arson, the police investigate all such offences," he said.
"As demonstrated by the arrests made, the chances of being caught are high."
The Christchurch arrest follow a spate of fires and fireworks-related incidents around the country in the annual lead-up to Guy Fawkes Day on Sunday.
Meanwhile, a Hamilton high school student needed nine stitches after being struck in the back with a suspected sky rocket.
The incident was the worst of a spate of fireworks-related incidents dealt with by Hamilton police this week.
The youth was walking up a hill at Hamilton Lake when he heard a loud explosion and something hit his back, police said.
He believed he was hit with a sky rocket or some other type of firework.
Police said they were also called to a house in suburban Claudelands, Hamilton East, after residents reported what they thought was an exploding bomb.
Two teenagers were found setting off fireworks in glass bottles in their backyard.
Police said they have attended more than 50 incidents involving fireworks this week, and that their time could be better spent elsewhere.
Senior Sergeant Paul Jermy said many of the incidents could have had serious consequences.
"In many cases they are just young guys being stupid and reckless and having total disregard for people's safety."
People could be charged with wilful damage, disorder, assault with a weapon and charges related to endangering safety, transport and property, he said.
- NZPA
