Tony Malkin starts bushfire near Queenstown in New Zealand with New Year's Eve ... trends now
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An American billionaire's controversial New Year's Eve fireworks has started a bushfire in a rural area of New Zealand after protests from locals against his plans.
Tony Malkin, chief executive of Empire State Realty Trust, which owns the landmark, was hosting a party at his luxury hilltop retreat in Dalefield, a rural area on the outskirts of Queenstown.
He set off the extravagant display, believed to have cost tens of thousands of dollars, to bring in the new year, and sparked three fires that burned along a hill nearby.
Firefighters were called to Mr Malkin's property just 10 minutes later and spent several hours putting out the blaze.
A fire started in a rural area of New Zealand on New Year's Day following a fireworks display (picture courtesy of Davis Decor Limited Painters & Decorators)
New York billionaire Tony Malkin (pictured) set off the fireworks at his Dalefield retreat despite widespread objection from residents
The fire was contained at 2.30am after ripping through about 0.5 hectares of land and completely blackening a hill.
Guests at the New York billionaire's exclusive party were evacuated as the fire came within 15m of his retreat, according to Stuff.
Volunteer firefighters stayed until 7am to put out spot fires and monitor the situation.
