A Waipapakauri Ramp man whose rented house was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning, escaped unscathed, but lost everything.
Jason Brain, who moved north from the Bay of Plenty and had been living in the house for more than four years, scrambled out of his bedroom window after he was woken by the sound of the fire. Smoke had reached his bedroom by that stage, but not flames.
He was left standing in his underwear, he said, his first priority once the fire was extinguished being to borrow some clothing. His car, which was parked near the house, was severely damaged by heat and flames.
Mr Brain did not have contents insurance.
The Kaitaia Fire Brigade was called at 12.48am, Chief Fire Officer Craig Rogers saying neighbouring houses had not been threatened, but strong wind had created the potential for the remains of the house, which were still standing, to re-ignite, although that did not happen.
