Police investigate fireworks arson attempt

Feilding police are investigating an arson attempt on a suburban home after "over the counter" firecrackers were tossed threw the lounge window.

The homeowner heard the smash at about 11.30pm on Friday and found the burning fireworks in the house and managed to put them out.

Fireworks were also found on the lawn and in the letterbox.

Sergeant Ashley Gurney said police were "extremely concerned" at the potential loss of life and serious property damage that could have occurred from the incident.

"It is a cowardly and unprovoked attack on a citizen in their own home in the middle of the night," Mr Gurney said.

"Police are confident with the help of Palmerston North and Feilding communities that the offender(s) will be identified and held accountable for their actions."

The occupant was shaken but unharmed.

Meanwhile Auckland firefighters were also kept busy last night with callouts to blazing letterboxes and burning shrubs.

Fire Service spokesman Scott Osmond said the awry fire crackers kept staff busy particularly between 9pm and 11pm.

He said the fire instances were relatively minor, but there were plenty of them.

Mr Osmond said the incidents from firecrackers would just increase in the build up to next week's Guy Fawkes celebrations and more staff will be called in to meet demands.

- NZPA