Community rallies to aid of fire victims

Newton Hinton was supposed to be the centre of attention today, with friends and family planning his 40th birthday celebration in Reporoa.

Mr Hinton will instead mark the milestone birthday in Waikato Hospital. He suffered serious burns in a house fire that destroyed his family's home in Allen Rd on Sunday night.

The family of five escaped with just the clothes on their backs.

As well as the house they also lost two cars, a boat, caravan and the children's bikes.

To make matters worse, the following day their still-standing garage was burgled. Rotorua police Senior Sergeant Denton Grimes said small power tools, a welder and various hand tools were taken.

Mr Hinton's wife, Rylee, 34, has been described by her sister-in-law Tracey Foden as being "very shaken", but said they had been overwhelmed with the support they were receiving from the Reporoa community.

A fundraising page at www.givealittle.co.nz had raised $6880 as the Rotorua Daily Post went to press. Mufti days at Reporoa College and Broadlands School have raised $1300 and $680 respectively.

"We've all been blown away by the support," Mrs Foden said. "It shows what an awesome place we live in.

"They [the Hintons] are very busy and kind people. They are always supportive of the schools and the community so it's awesome to see the community give back."

Mrs Hinton and the couple's three children - Stephen, 12, Reed, 9, and Brooke, 6 - are staying with family in Hamilton so they can be close to the hospital.

Stephen's birthday was last week and all his presents were lost in the fire. Brooke turns 7 in a couple of weeks and Mrs Foden said they hoped the family would be back in Reporoa so they could organise something special.

"It's hard to see your dad in that situation at 6. It's a hard age to understand."

As well as the fundraising page a bank account has been opened to help the Hintons with immediate needs until insurance payments can be made.

They have also been entered into a competition on the Jennian Homes Facebook page to win $10,000 towards a new home.

An electrical fault is suspected as the cause of the blaze.

Mrs Hinton woke to sounds that made her think they were being burgled but then heard smoke alarms and the family escaped.

You can donate via www.givealittle.co.nz//cause/03112014 or Westpac Bank Account: Newton & Rylee Hinton 03 0415 0765128 000.