Welcome Bay house fire: Neighbour starts Givealittle page to support family

“She went out to our letterbox and saw the smoke coming out under the house and immediately dialled 111.”

He said by the time emergency services arrived, the house was “well ablaze”.

Harrison said he arrived home and heard a lot of crackling and popping as the fire spread through the house across the road.

“As the glass went out, things popped inside, and there was a lot of loud noises.

“But it spread very quickly indeed.”

Harrison and his wife knew first-hand what it was like to lose everything in a house fire.

“The worst thing is the smell triggered memories of our own fire.”

Extensive fire damage is evident across the interior and exterior of the property. Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell

Nine years ago, the couple’s Bethlehem home was “gutted” by a fire after a power multiboard sparked out.

“It was totally destroyed, we lost everything, and ended up living in motels for nearly four months.”

Harrison said this was why he set up a Givealittle page to help their Welcome Bay neighbours – a mother and son.

“The thing is, we know insurance doesn’t cover everything, not by a long way.”

He said the neighbourhood had been incredibly supportive.

“We’re just offering support in any way shape or form, even to the point of trying to help find the cats.”

He confirmed his neighbours’ two cats got out of the house and were found safe when caught this morning.

Harrison said the last of the emergency services left “a good” five hours after the fire started.

They stayed on to make sure there were no hotspots.

Firefighters at a house fire in Welcome Bay. Photo / Cameron Avery

The scent of smoke and burnt materials was still heavy in the air when NZME visited the street on Tuesday morning.

Temporary fencing had been erected around the home, and most windows were smashed.

The single-storey home showed extensive fire damage. Debris was scattered inside and outside, and belongings were piled up on top of ashes.

At the time of the fire, Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern fire communications shift manager Lauren Sika said it was ”very well involved” when crews arrived, and all persons were accounted for.

Bay of Plenty registered fire investigator Jon Rewi told NZME on Tuesday the cause of the incident was undetermined.

Harrison’s Givealittle is raising funds to help the family buy clothing and essentials such as personal hygiene products to help them in the short term.

The cause of the house fire in Welcome Bay was undetermined. Photo / Charles Harrison

About $700 was donated in the first 24 hours, with donors also offering prayers and love.

Mel wrote that it was “so sad” that this had happened right before Christmas.

“I hope no one is injured and I hope our community get together and help where we can on this one,” she wrote.

To donate, visit givealittle.co.nz/cause/fire-aid.

NZME has attempted to contact the family who lived in the home.

For tips to ensure your home is fire safe, Fire and Emergency has an urban home fire safety checklist.

The checklist is for people who own a house or apartment in the city or suburbs to check when walking through their house.

Home fire safety checklist

Kitchen

The stovetop is clean and free of any spilt fats or burnt foods.The rangehood filters have been cleaned recently.There’s a fire extinguisher near the kitchen, and you know how to use it.

Living room and bedrooms

Smoke alarms installed in every bedroom, living area and hallway in the house.Matches, lighters or other fire-starting tools are stored out of reach of children.Powerpoints or multiboards not overloaded with appliances that use a lot of power.Lights are fitted with the correct bulb size and rating (in watts). Electric blankets are in good condition and not more than five years old.The fireplace has a screen with a proper fireguard, and the chimney has been checked and/or swept in the last year.

Outdoors

Barbecue fittings are tight and secure, and there’s at least 1m of clear space. Flammable liquids in sheds or garages are stored in appropriate containers.

Laundry

No lint is built up in the clothes dryer filter (check this after every use).The clothes dryer should be checked by a professional to ensure no dust is built up.There’s plenty of ventilation and air space around the clothes dryer.

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.