Sports club loses $40,000 of gear in suspected fireworks related blaze

A sports club says it has taken years of fundraising to afford gear that has now been burnt in a fire they believe was caused by fireworks.

Police are investigating after a fire at a Hamilton park destroyed thousands of dollars of football gear for junior players.

Witnesess says people were aiming firecrackers at each other at Discovery Park shortly before the blaze. Police ask anyone who saw this to come forward.

Mark Oliphant from Northern United Sports Club said the park was a second home for hundreds of kids during the football season.

"When we all learnt about it (the fire) on the Friday morning, we were despondent really," he told Checkpoint.

He said it would cost the club $40,000 to replace the gear.

Burnt gear included football goals, uniforms, balls, first aid kits, and a pitch line marker.

Oliphant said some of the gear was insured, but not all.

He said the response from the community, as well as neighbouring sports clubs, had been incredible.

"It's been quite heartwarming."

Oliphant believed fireworks should be restricted to public display only.