A fireworks display in Whakatane went horribly wrong last night when a planned 40-minute display erupted into a 30 metre wall of fire which lasted just 40 seconds.
More than $10,000 worth of fireworks went off in less than a minute about 9pm as about 1000 locals watched from the other side of the riverbank.
An eyewitness named Raewyn told 3News the "amazing" sight was "like a bonfire and it went right across the whole entire bank".
"You're standing right there and you're just like, seeing a great big explosion in front of your face."
Two people were taken to hospital with minor burns after the fire, which started after one of the first fireworks fell over, setting the others alight.
The Kiwanis Club, which had organised the display for 27 years, said all precautions were taken, but it was going to review the safety procedures for next year.
The fire service, which spent the day dampening hot spots, is investigating.
