Family hit by second fire in two years

File photo / NZH

A family who escaped to Nelson after the fatal Victorian bushfires last year have had their Tahunanui home ravaged by fire.

Nelson city councillor Kate Fulton's home was badly damaged yesterday after a fire began in the basement and worked its way up through the house while the family was tramping in the Abel Tasman National Park.

"The damage is all through the basement and the living room is smoke-damaged, as is most of the house," Ms Fulton told NZPA today.

The family wasn't sure how the fire started but it had all been a bit much, she said.

Ms Fulton moved to Nelson with her son and two daughters about a year ago after living in the area of the forest fire that claimed 173 lives in February last year.

Though her home had not burnt down then, the area had suffered extensive damage.

Ms Fulton said she felt lucky her family had been away during yesterday's blaze.

Haitian earthquake survivor Emily Sanson-Rejouis from Nelson has set up an appeal to help the Fulton family through the hard time.

"We have had a lot of support and it has been wonderful. Emily lost her family in the Haiti earthquake and I feel so supported that she has done this for me," Ms Fulton said

The family now were not sure what to do for Christmas, though the first priority was finding a place to live.

"I haven't had a chance to think about Christmas, we are staying at my aunty's and looking at bed and breakfasts at the moment."

She said she would have to buy her son another bike since his new one had been damaged in the fire.

The house and contents were insured.

- NZPA