He jumped into the water fully clothed to extinguish the fire, much to the confusion of the primary school pupils at the event.
"I think the novelty of me standing in the pool was more of interest to them."
He was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital with "a large burnt patch" on his leg, and later discharged.
Mr Bain would be taking time out from his duties during the next couple of days, as he nursed his burn wound.
"I'll be getting plenty of hydration and keeping it moist."
He was also saddened to lose a pair of shorts.
"My shorts are not quite so good, which is quite depressing, because it was only the second time I'd worn them."
It had not yet been determined how the caps ignited.
Napier Fire Service senior station officer Jamie Nichol, when told about the incident, said he'd never encountered anything like it.
"I've been in the Fire Service for 24 years and I've never come across anything like this - it's very unusual. He's one unlucky man."