Waipawa house reignites after firefighters work to put it out

By Astrid Austin

Hawkes Bay Today·

16 Jul, 2018 06:03 PM2 mins to read

Five volunteer fire brigades fought a fire which gutted the home of Bruce Buchanan, Jocelyn Buchanan and their two grandsons in Waipawa. Photo / Duncan Brown

A Waipawa house which was engulfed by flames on Sunday reignited during the early hours of yesterday.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Mike Wanoa said emergency services were called to the address on Johnson St at 3.31am. Two appliances from Waipawa and a water tanker from Otane initially arrived on the scene.

However, due to the extent of the fire, more appliances from Hastings and Waipukurau attended.

On Sunday, 35 volunteer firefighters and eight appliances from Wairoa, Waipukurau, Tikokino, Ongaonga and Otane spent more than seven hours from 7.20am battling the blaze the first time round.

A fire investigator was on the scene yesterday afternoon and crews stayed until after 5pm to assist him and make sure the fire was under control.

It is unknown what caused the incidents.

Donations and offers of help have flooded in for Bruce and Jocelyn Buchanan and their two young grandsons, 9-year-old William and 10-year-old Hunter.

A Givealittle page set up for the family had raised more than $1500 by last night. Hawke's Bay Today also received a donation of $50 for the family.

Family friend Karen Watson said a working bee had been set up yesterday, with several people lending a helping hand to empty the family's garage and make it suitable to sleep in.

The story of the Buchanans' plight had been shared on Facebook and, within an hour, their dining table was "chocka" with clothes, Watson said.

"I've had all sorts of people come to my door who don't know the family but want to help. It's amazing what people can do."

William has cerebral palsy and recently had an operation which meant he had casts on both legs and was wheelchair-bound. Unfortunately, his wheelchair and Bruce's wheelchair were destroyed in the fire.