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.
Furious residents protested against Mr Malkin's plans to launch fireworks at his retreat due to the risk of a fire or the distress loud noises would cause to horses and other animals in the area.
Irate neighbours had to cancel their festive plans to stay at home with their animals to ensure they were not spooked.
Neighbour and horse owner Johnny Quinn, who created a petition to stop Mr Malkin's plan, said the billionaire's insistence to set off pyrotechnics at his retreat conveyed a 'screw you' attitude towards residents.
He claimed that the 'system was broken', after his rich neighbour got approval for his expensive light show despite widespread objection.
Mr Quinn moved his family and horses south for the New Year's weekend and returned on Sunday to see the fireworks damage to the hillside.
Firefighters were called to the retreat around ten minutes after the fireworks began to put the blaze out. It's understood guests at his party were also evacuated. (picture courtesy of Davis Decor Limited Painters & Decorators)
Tony Malkin's sprawling New Zealand home sits atop a hill in Dalefield, near Queenstown
He told Daily Mail Australia before New Year's Eve that Mr Malkin's festive plans were 'un-neighbourly'.
'He literally hasn't interacted with the local community,' he said.
'It will definitely spook the horses. People are very nervous, and are staying around to look after their animals - it's not just horses, it's cats and dogs, and other livestock.'
Mr Malkin has not apologised for going ahead with the fireworks display or publicly acknowledged the fire.
Neighbour Johnny Quinn created a petition to try and stop the CEO's plans. He said the billionaire's insistence to set off pyrotechnics at his retreat conveyed a 'screw you' attitude towards residents
Dalefield near Queenstown, New Zealand, is a luscious, rural escape which has attracted a handful of billionaires in recent years
The billionaire's property manager and spokeswoman, Donna Stewart-Freemantle, did not comment on the fire but thanked firefighters and police for their efforts in containing the blaze and evacuating guests.
His office in New York initially did not respond to requests for comment.
Dalefield has become a mecca for foreign billionaires, such as PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, William Foley, and Google co-founder Larry Page, who bought properties in the area.
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