Good Samaritans help blaze family

Casper Kandori is overwhelmed at the support his family has received. Photo / John Stone

A Whangarei family has been stunned by offers of support after they were left with nothing following a house fire.

Casper Kandori, his wife and three young children ran for their lives when a blaze ripped through their rental property 2am on Friday.

The family had no insurance.

"We have had a lot of support," Mr Kandori said. "It's really overwhelming."

It had been a tough weekend but the community support had been amazing, Mr Kandori said. The family had been staying with friends since the fire.

"We are living in a good community," he said. "I'm speechless."

The family had moved to New Zealand from Zimbabwe seven years ago.

Yesterday morning, the family had a call from an anonymous donor who left $800 credit at the North Haven Hospice store for the family.

They have also had calls from Wellington and Auckland offering clothes and furniture.

Whangarei District Council, where Mr Kandori worked, was also inundated with calls from employees and the public wanting to help.

As far as Mr Kandori is aware, the cause of the fire is a mystery.

Fire investigator Craig Bain said the fire service, police and an insurance investigator were still working to determine the cause.

"We know that it started outside on the couch and it's being treated as suspicious," Mr Bain said.

After examining the property on Friday, Mr Bain ruled out accidental causes.

A friend of the Kandori family, Samuel Muzembe, who is co-ordinating the offers of support, said it had come from all angles.

-To help the Kandori family please contact Samuel on 0272910567