Rebecca Ashman has a message for the fireworks pranksters whose "careless" actions started a fire that seriously threatened her home.

"If people keep doing these things, then someone's going to die one day – and nothing's worth that."

Police are still searching for the people who shot fireworks from moving cars, triggering the blaze that left the Ashmans with thousands of dollars in damage to their rural Canterbury property.

IAIN MCGREGOR/STUFF Rebecca Ashman's home was under threat after someone shot fireworks at her property triggering a blaze that burnt through hedges and trees.

Emergency services were called to a property on Newtons Rd, West Melton, about 7pm on Saturday after the hedge caught fire.

Rebecca Ashman and her husband were out when their neighbour called them. They rushed home to find "everything on fire".

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IAIN MCGREGOR/STUFF People in two cars were seen shooting fireworks at each other out windows before the fire broke out on Saturday.

​Flames over 10 metres high could be seen licking above the pine trees at the front of the property.

Ashman said the family was very lucky to come out of the fire unscathed. There were many factors that could have made for a very different outcome.

She said had the wind been blowing in a different direction and fire crews had not attended so quickly, the fire may have been a lot worse.

IAIN MCGREGOR/STUFF Flames over 10 metres high could be seen licking above the pine trees at the front of the property.

"We are just so lucky that our house is still here and the kids are still okay."

The family dog, named Mack, was also very lucky to escape the fire unharmed after the flames jumped through the middle of the property and rapidly made its way towards his kennel.

"He was just cowering trying to get as far away as he could from the fire and he was just absolutely terrified."

IAIN MCGREGOR/STUFF Rebecca Ashman's has been dampening down hotspots on her property after the blaze. Her children are Barto, 9, and Aurelia, 6.

Ashman's husband was able to save Mack as flames crept within metres of his kennel.

"He was traumatised by everything. I think he must have got a bit of smoke inhalation because he was quite hoarse for a while afterwards."

Senior Constable Chris Caldwell said people in two cars were seen shooting fireworks at each other out the windows before the fire broke out.

IAIN MCGREGOR/STUFF The blaze burnt through the hedge and most of the trees at the front of the Ashman's property.

Several hedge rows and gardens were damaged, and a ride-on lawnmower was incinerated. Firefighters dampened down the property and monitored it overnight, he said.

A person saw the cars, a BMW and a Mazda RX8, speeding off in the direction of West Melton.

Caldwell said the people in the cars drove away before the fire started and may not have realised what they had done.

Their actions were extremely dangerous because of the high winds at the time, he said.

The silver BMW had 18 inch mag wheels, while the RX8 was a distinctive metallic blue, with tinted windows, black wheels and white writing on the back windscreen.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman Andrew Norris said about 40 firefighters helped put out the blaze.

Five fire engines and seven tankers were needed after flames destroyed three large hedges and came close to the house, Norris said.

"There was no damage to the house but strong winds were causing problems," he said.

Firefighters finished extinguishing the blaze about 10pm and a small crew stayed overnight to monitor the area.

Norris said Guy Fawkes night was "incredibly quiet", with four fireworks-related callouts in the South Island on Monday.

Saturday and Sunday nights were a lot busier, he said.

Ashman was unsure of the total cost of the damage and was doubtful insurance would cover the costs as most of the damaged property was outdoors.

She hoped the culprits would turn themselves in to police and think twice before doing such a "careless" act again.

"Think about how you would feel if someone had carelessly thrown a firework at your house and started a fire and hurt your family potentially."

Anyone who has information about the incident can contact Christchurch police on 03 3637400.