6m tall ‘Guy’ burns at Te Awanga in Hawke’s Bay

A 20-foot-tall sculpture of “Guy” made of pallet wood burned down in Te Awanga on Friday.

The 2020 sculpture was a continuation of past celebrations at Te Awanga, in which sculptures were set on fire.

In 2019, a large fish was set on fire, after a cow started the trend in 2018.

A crowd of locals gathered to watch the ‘Guy’ burn.

Earlier, Hawke’s Bay Fire Service Area Commander Ken Cooper said he was pleased with the behavior of fireworks users in Hawke’s Bay this week.

Cooper said the Hawke’s Bay crews had not been called upon to a single fireworks-related incident since they went on sale Nov. 2.

According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the lower North Island experienced only two fireworks-related incidents. There were only 15 in New Zealand.

Cooper said that number is likely to increase over the weekend.

“After a few days of rain, we expect conditions to improve. These conditions could lead to more people going out for the weekend, using the fireworks they have purchased,” he said.

“Don’t use them in windy conditions, read the manufacturer’s instructions, turn them on in open areas and have water close at hand.”