All of the people, including eight children and three adults, on the property were able to escape the blaze by jumping over a fence to the Plunket next door.
"It was horrible. It's not something you ever think about until it happens. Then when it happens it happens so fast," Ms Boswell said.
We have lost everything but at the same time it feels like we have gained so much more ...
"We weren't sure what was going on and just made sure we had everybody out."
The mother of six said all her children were home at the time, along with another family of four who were living in the back shed. Everything she owned had been lost in the blaze except a family coffee table, piano and family picture which hung above the piano.
Ms Boswell said less than 10 minutes after they left scene of the fire and arrived at a family member's home support began to pour in.
"We have lost everything but at the same time it feels like we have gained so much more in the support and love from everybody.
"The response... and we didn't even ask. People have given furniture, food, money, clothes, toiletries, kids toys, everything."
K-mart also turned up with a $1000 voucher for the family.
"I am lost for words. Thank you for the support."
Ms Boswell said some of the support was also from people she knew had very little and struggled themselves.
"We are just grateful our children and [friends] Makere and Adrian are safe and well. Even the response from our landlord - him and his family have been there for us. They actually have had a rough year and this is something they didn't need either.
"Some people are coming up to the house and we don't even have the chance to say thank you before they are gone again and the next person is coming up.
Ms Boswell said her friends Makere Tawa and Adrian Tioriori, who were living in a shed on the property, were a loving family.
Ms Boswell, who is part way through studying a Bachelor of Social Work, took them in about five weeks ago.
"They had nowhere to go and we had room. I couldn't shut my door on a family like that."
The pair, with two young boys aged 3 and 6, were not the type to ask for any help, even if they did need it, she said.
"Both our waka sunk and we sunk together.. When they moved in I said 'this is all of our whare, we all treat it the same'. We have all been left in the same boat, so we will swim together, instead of drown."
Ms Boswell and her children were staying with family until a permanent house could be arranged. Ms Tawa and Mr Tioriori were looking for a home of their own.
Both our waka sunk and we sunk together.. When they moved in I said 'this is all of our whare, we all treat it the same'. We have all been left in the same boat, so we will swim together, instead of drown.
Father Drew Tata said he wanted he wanted to thank the community for their actions and pulling together for his family.
"There are other families out there who are struggling already and they are still giving and pulling together to help us."
Mr Tata, a youth development mentor with Te Pou Oranga Nga Rangatahi, was overwhelmed with how the community had pulled together.
Last night $1830 had been raised for the family through a Givealittle page.