\u201cShe went out to our letterbox and saw the smoke coming out under the house and immediately dialled 111.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said by the time emergency services arrived, the house was \u201cwell ablaze\u201d.<\/p>\n
Harrison said he arrived home and heard a lot of crackling and popping as the fire spread through the house across the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the glass went out, things popped inside, and there was a lot of loud noises.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it spread very quickly indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harrison and his wife knew first-hand what it was like to lose everything in a house fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe worst thing is the smell triggered memories of our own fire.\u201d<\/p>\n
Extensive fire damage is evident across the interior and exterior of the property. Photo \/ Kaitlyn Morrell<\/p>\n
Nine years ago, the couple\u2019s Bethlehem home was \u201cgutted\u201d by a fire after a power multiboard sparked out. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was totally destroyed, we lost everything, and ended up living in motels for nearly four months.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harrison said this was why he set up a Givealittle page to help their Welcome Bay neighbours \u2013 a mother and son.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing is, we know insurance doesn\u2019t cover everything, not by a long way.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the neighbourhood had been incredibly supportive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just offering support in any way shape or form, even to the point of trying to help find the cats.\u201d<\/p>\n
He confirmed his neighbours\u2019 two cats got out of the house and were found safe when caught this morning. <\/p>\n
Harrison said the last of the emergency services left \u201ca good\u201d five hours after the fire started.<\/p>\n
They stayed on to make sure there were no hotspots. <\/p>\n
Firefighters at a house fire in Welcome Bay. Photo \/ Cameron Avery<\/p>\n
The scent of smoke and burnt materials was still heavy in the air when NZME visited the street on Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
Temporary fencing had been erected around the home, and most windows were smashed. <\/p>\n
The single-storey home showed extensive fire damage. Debris was scattered inside and outside, and belongings were piled up on top of ashes.<\/p>\n
At the time of the fire, Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern fire communications shift manager Lauren Sika said it was \u201dvery well involved” when crews arrived, and all persons were accounted for.<\/p>\n
Bay of Plenty registered fire investigator Jon Rewi told NZME on Tuesday the cause of the incident was undetermined.<\/p>\n
Harrison\u2019s Givealittle is raising funds to help the family buy clothing and essentials such as personal hygiene products to help them in the short term. <\/p>\n
The cause of the house fire in Welcome Bay was undetermined. Photo \/ Charles Harrison<\/p>\n
About $700 was donated in the first 24 hours, with donors also offering prayers and love.<\/p>\n
Mel wrote that it was \u201cso sad\u201d that this had happened right before Christmas.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope no one is injured and I hope our community get together and help where we can on this one,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n