A Bay of Islands man is lucky to still have his home after a ferocious blaze destroyed a nearby workshop and spread into surrounding bush.
The owner of the Oromahoe Rd home, a German-born engineer and keen sailor, raised the alarm just before midnight on Boxing Day.
When the first appliances arrived from the Paihia Fire Brigade the flames were 10 metres high and had spread into nearby bush, deputy fire chief Rex Wilson said.
The substantial workshop, measuring about 15m x 4m, was beyond saving so the volunteers concentrated on protecting the man's house. Because the rural road near Opua has no reticulated water supply, Paihia's two appliances were backed up by six more from Kawakawa, Kerikeri and Kaikohe-based Rural Fire.
Mr Wilson said the workshop was burnt to the ground. Flames had spread under the man's home but it was otherwise undamaged. "It was a good save. He was pretty thankful," he said.
