"I was screaming and had become quite hysterical ... I could see the flames in the sitting room," she said.
"I didn't even have time to put clothes on, I just ran out and tried to get my phone to call the fire brigade, but it was in my bag which had melted onto the television."
Ms Tait said by the time she struggled with opening her bag the flames had grown out of control and two people had helped her and her grandfather, who uses a walker, outside and away from the blaze.
"The fire was huge then, and five seconds later the windows had burst where my koro was sitting."
She said they didn't have time to grab clothes or personal items and were told by the fire investigator an electrical fault sparked the blaze which demolished everything.
Ms Tait is the mother of a 9-year-old girl and 1-year-old boy who weren't at the house at the time of the fire. She said they were staying with family but were still trying to find a new home.
A fundraiser was held last week in front of TC Takeaways in Western Heights. Shop owner Joe Dorset said the community thought it was the "right thing to do so close to Christmas". Mr Dorset said it would not have been possible without the support of local businesses.
Ms Tait had been given donations, clothes and household items by people, many of whom she had never met.
"The community had been such a big help, I am honestly speechless by the generosity. No words can explain how grateful I am," Ms Tait said.
A sausage sizzle fundraiser event will be on Friday in front of Mitre 10 Mega on Amohau St from 10am-3pm.
Household furniture and appliances are still needed for the family and if anyone can help they can contact Tiny Deane on (027) 506 1313.