A sea rescue station in Richards Bay was damaged by distress flares fired by New Year’s revellers, the National Sea Rescue Institute said on Thursday.

On New Year’s eve, NSRI Richards Bay crew were at the station when, as midnight struck, revellers fired dozens of red distress flares in celebration, NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said.

“One of these red distress flares landed on the roof of the sea rescue base, setting alight and burning through the roof.”

The fire was extinguished. The boat in the station was not damaged. SAPA