Early hours fire guts house

Firefighters tackled a blaze at a house in Wairoa’s Marine Parade early on Thursday morning. Police have an inquiry under way into its cause. A resident said the whānau who lived there lost everything.Picture supplied

A Wairoa whānau has “lost everything” after a savage fire nearly completely destroyed their home early on Thursday morning.

Police have an inquiry under way into the cause of the fire at a house on the town’s Marine Parade at about 3am .

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said two fire trucks from Wairoa and one from Nūhaka attended the house fire and all occupants were accounted for with no reports of injuries.

The fire was extinguished about an hour after arrival but firefighters stayed at the scene for just over two more hours to dampen hot spots.

Senior Station Officer Philip Jane said there was nearly nothing left of the carport and back half of the house.

The remaining parts of the building had suffered heat, smoke and water damage.

Firefighters could not immediately determine a cause.

A police spokesperson said a police investigation into the fire was ongoing.

“A scene examination was conducted.”

A local resident who knows the occupants, who requested to not be named, told Hawke’s Bay Today the family “lost everything” in the fire.

“The lady who was occupying the house is an amazing asset to our community.

“She gives back to our rangatahi, which shows through the support that has wrapped around her and her whānau to ensure they recover as best as they can in this tragic situation.”

Police said anyone who was in the area of the fire on Thursday morning and saw any suspicious activity, or have any information that may assist police with their investigation should contact police on 105, or online https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 using update report and reference file number: 230921/9934.

“Alternatively, you can report any information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.” — Hawke’s Bay Today