Falling tree 'seemed like a quake'

Neighbour Peter Stokes assesses the damage after the oak fell on to his property also. Photo / Greg Bowker

An expectant mother thought an earthquake had hit when a tree collapsed on to two Parnell units early yesterday.

Mel Wang, who is six months pregnant, said her Parnell Rd unit shook violently for a couple of seconds at 4.40am when an oak that used to overhang from a neighbouring property gave way.

"There was a big bang. We were all sleeping and the house was shaking for a good few seconds or more. I thought it was an earthquake but our little puppy, Milo, she was quiet and calm so we figured out something else had happened."

Ms Wang's parents, who have travelled from China for the birth of their grandchild, were sleeping in the room nearest a double garage where the tree landed, and although frightened at the time, were fine.

Ms Wang's home was mainly undamaged except for the crushed garage.

Rain is believed to have loosened the soil around the tree, causing it to topple.

The Fire Service has blocked access to one of the units and Ms Wang said firefighters had told her it was safer for her to stay inside unless there was an emergency.

Her partner, Jim Andrew, said he was just happy everyone was safe.

While both his cars seemed fine, he said, his neighbour was waiting to see if the vehicles parked in his garage had been "nuked".