The home at Oakleigh, on the corner of State Highway 1 and Springfield Rd, was destroyed by the fire but the family got out safely. Photo / Denise Piper
The home at Oakleigh, on the corner of State Highway 1 and Springfield Rd, was destroyed by the fire but the family got out safely. Photo / Denise Piper
The blaze on the corner of State Highway 1 and Springfield Rd started about 8pm on Sunday.
It destroyed the uninsured possessions and cars of the whānau renting the home, including mum, dad, and children aged 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 14.
The parents had just popped down to the shops with their three youngest children when the fire started, said their sister-in-law Hayley, who asked for her last name to not be published.
Their 14-year-old daughter managed to get her 9- and 7-year-old siblings out safely, as well as the family dog.
By the time the parents got back to the house it was completely engulfed in flames, Hayley said.
“They were very distraught parents. They are very grateful that everyone was safe.”
Firefighters from seven different brigades were needed to help control the fire, which was made challenging by the steep driveway, and nearby bush and petrol station, said Fire and Emergency NZ’s Northland district manager, Wipari Henwood.
It took five hours to bring the blaze under control.
Fire investigator Greg Hartwell said the fire started in the kitchen and was likely caused by unattended cooking.
The home did not have working smoke alarms and it was very fortunate the teenager was smart enough to get everyone out, he said.
Fire investigator Greg Hartwell said the fire started in the kitchen and the teenager did well to get her siblings out safely. Photo / Denise Piper
“She did the right thing and got out straight away – it could’ve been a lot different.”
Hayley said the family had been renting the older home for about seven months and, while the house was insured by the landlord, they did not have contents insurance.
“They literally walked out with only the clothes that they were wearing.”
The couple also have two older children not living with them and the father has a heart condition, she said.
While the family would never ask for help, Hayley set up a Givealittle page to help them start their lives again.
“They are very humble so I took it upon myself to do it, because they would never ask ... They are just so overwhelmed with the people donating.”
People have also offered all sorts of goods and some landlords have come forward with homes available for rent, Hayley said.
While the whānau have been very moved by the donations, the constant offers of donations have been too much for the extended family to manage, she admitted.
Fortunately, a couple of community members have stepped up to help manage donations.
Eldon Whittaker, a member of the Mangapai Hall Committee, said he was very moved when he saw the fire on Sunday night.
With six children of his own, he was able to consider how a fire would affect his family and was determined to do something about it.
Whittaker got in touch with fellow hall committee members, arranging for them to volunteer to be at the hall at certain times this week to take good-quality donations.
Depending on the response, other help might be arranged, he said.
Good-quality items can be dropped off at Mangapai Hall, McAlister Rd, from Tuesday to Friday between 8.30am to 10am, 11am to 12.30pm and 5pm to 6.30pm.
Donations can also be dropped off at the Springfield Domain, on Springfield Rd.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
