Craw family loses Waihi Beach home to fire

The community is raising money for the Craw family whose house was destroyed by fire. Photo supplied.

Kas and Nic Craw have been moved to tears with the support of the community after a devastating fire took their Waihi Beach home and possessions early this month.

Kas hasn't processed the loss of their home yet. What has humbled the family is the overwhelming support they've received from all who have rallied to help in many ways.

Kas says people have ''literally given us the shirts off their backs''.

Even school children have been showing support to daughters Frankie-Lee, 7, and Rio, 5.

''The girls had these crystal collections which they loved and school children are bringing crystals for them ... it's a beautiful distraction and the support that has come from everyone has blown us away.''

The fire took hold early this month on Nic's birthday while the family was away. No one was harmed.

The house was just 100sq metre which was originally built from two railway cabins. Plenty of blood, sweat and tears went into the three year renovation of the home.

''It wasn't a spec home. Every day we spent time on it. Every little piece inside was searched for. We're about sustainability so everything was second-hand and we hunted for everything or it was made by ourselves or our children.

''It wasn't just a house, it was a home and that's probably the hardest part. It's so hard completely starting again.''

Their land is just under two acres where Kas runs nature sanctuary The Nest which offers yoga, a nature programme, workshops and events.

The website states ''at The Nest, we are working towards setting up a home, a playground, a learning space, which is sustainable, provides our basic needs and one which we can share with others, to help them find the happiness that simplicity can bring''.

Nic was a volunteer at firefighter at Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade and a physiotherapist.

The Craws' home was uninsured. They had been wanting to simplify their lives and were working towards living off the land and off the grid.

The house will be demolished soon. The Craws are currently staying in baches offered to them. The next step is to buy a caravan and get back to their land to rebuild.

There is a Givealittle page for people wanting to help them. www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-the-craw-whanau-rebuild
A fundraising day will be held at Auto Super Shoppe Katikati next month.

■ Tiny House Builders and Auto Super Shoppe Katikati have combined to help raise money for the family to rebuild their home. Kas worked at Tiny House Builders up until early this year. The Kas & Nick Craw Rebuild Fundraiser (Facebook) is a car wash and sausage sizzle to be held on October 3 from 9am-2pm at the Auto Super Shoppe, 6 Sheffield St. Cash only.