Terrigal NYE fireworks disaster as barge catches fire

  • Barge filled with fireworks has caught fire at Terrigal, on the NSW Central Coast
  • The barge caught alight shortly after fireworks began exploding at 9pm display
  • Thousands gathered on the foreshore were forced to evacuate the beach area 

A barge loaded with fireworks has exploded in front of shocked onlookers and forced many families watching on to evacuate.

Thousands had packed the foreshore at Terrigal, on the NSW central coast, to watch the 9pm spectacular when the boat suddenly caught alight.

Fireworks began exploding at random, with some even shooting out in the direction of those on the beach and coming perilously close to those gathered.

Shocking video taken by an onlooker caught the moment a large bang erupted from the boat, drawing scared screams from the crowd and forcing people to evacuate.

A barge loaded with fireworks has exploded in front of shocked onlookers at Terrigal, on the NSW central coast, forcing those gathered to watch the display to evacuate

Within seconds the boat, which was located just metres from the shore, was covered in smoke as fireworks began firing out at random.

Witnesses reported some fireworks shooting horizontally across the water towards those who had gathered on the sand. It is not known if anyone was injured.

‘Barge on fire and fireworks going everywhere,’ tweeted one shocked local who was watching the display.

Scared children who had taken up a vantage point close to the waters edge could be seen running in the opposite direction to the fireworks.

Screams reverberated around the beach as the thousands gathered began running for safety less than one minute into the display.

The fire brigade was called to put out the blaze, with others at the scene describing it as ‘chaotic’.

Thousands had packed the foreshore at Terrigal, on the NSW central coast, to watch the 9pm spectacular when disaster struck

Thousands had packed the foreshore at Terrigal, on the NSW central coast, to watch the 9pm spectacular when disaster struck

Shocking photos taken by those who had gathered to watch the show highlight the danger the fire posed, with a colourful haze exploding only metres from the shore (pictured)

Shocking photos taken by those who had gathered to watch the show highlight the danger the fire posed, with a colourful haze exploding only metres from the shore (pictured)



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