Featherston roof lifts in strong gales

Featherston fire chief Colin McKenna provides the anchor for his firefighter on the roof as his crew flip a torn roof back into position on a house on Bucks Rd, South Wairarapa. WAG 28Nov15 - PULL

A homeowner's refurbishment of a relocated house just got a lot harder after Featherston winds peeled off nearly half his roof yesterday morning.

The house's predicament at the foot of the Tararua Range on Bucks Rd was spotted by neighbour Anthony Medcraft, who knew the owner was in Wellington,

He opted to dial 111 shortly before 1.30pm.

With the winds dropping, a team of Featherston fire brigade volunteers were able to flip the roof back into place, using ropes, before roughly bolting to the rafters and tying it down.

Fire chief Colin McKenna said a builder would be needed to properly secure the roof.

Mr Medcraft, who was restoring the former Cobblestones Museum house on a neighbouring property to the south, said he was surprised because he hadn't thought the wind had been that strong.

He said he knew it couldn't wait until the owner got home.

The foothills did not provide much shelter from the Featherston winds, he said.