Neighbours feared for pair as fire hit

GUTTED: The Kaikohe home was badly damaged in Sunday night's fire. PHOTO/PETER DE GRAAF

Neighbours were convinced a solo dad and his young son were still inside a house destroyed by fire during Labour Weekend.

The blaze broke out at the Orrs Rd, Kaikohe, home just after 10.30pm on Sunday. When the Kaikohe Fire Brigade arrived the house was burning fiercely and neighbours believed the occupants - a man and his 6-year-old son - were still inside.

Police were able to establish they were at his mother's home on nearby Bissett Rd.

Fire chief Bill Hutchinson said it took the two volunteer crews 20 minutes to bring the fire under control and another three hours to mop up. The house would most likely have to be demolished.

Fire investigator Craig Bain said he was unable to pinpoint the cause with certainty. Police are also investigating.

The man and his son lost almost all their belongings in the fire. A few toys remained scattered around the property yesterday but everything inside is charred beyond recognition.

The pair are understood to be staying at his mother's home.

It was a busy weekend for Kaikohe firefighters, who were also called out at 4.30pm on Saturday to help the Okaihau brigade at a motorcycle crash on State Highway 1; and a vegetation fire at Taheke at 3.40pm on Sunday started by someone lighting a clump of toetoe.