ROCKDALE Council said a freak fire had been the cause of a disappointing end to its New Year's Eve fire-works show.
Thousands packed the foreshore at Botany Bay to view the annual family fireworks display at 9pm.
However, many left frustrated after long delays between fireworks and the lack of any finale.
Peter Ingram from Kogarah told the Leader the show was a disaster, with the display fading to a whimper without any explanation forthcoming from event organisers.
"It started OK and then they stopped for about three minutes and you could hear everyone complaining," he said.
"Then they started again and once again stopped — this went on another few times, and then it stopped and finished.
"There was no grand finale as in previous years. A lot of people were saying it was a waste of time coming to watch it with their kids
"There might have been a malfunction but it was a shocker."
A Rockdale Council spokesman said fireworks technicians had advised that there had been a fire accident on the fireworks barge.
He said the fire couldn't be extinguished by hand because it was too close to a large mortar.
This meant water had to be sprayed on the blaze, which damaged the fireworks fuses and wiring on the barge.
He said despite the accident the council still considered it had been a good event with great weather and a lively, happy family crowd.
Did you attend the Botany Bay event?
