Northland gas station fire: Owners had fled Auckland for a better life

The owners of a service station destroyed in a blaze overnight fire had moved from Auckland to Kaipara in search of a better life for their young family.

Instead, they have been targeted by multiple ram raids and burglaries - and now, in an unrelated incident, the business has been levelled in a devastating blaze.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand investigators are examining overnight’s massive blaze at Gas Kaihu.

Kaipara District councillor Ash Nayyar told the Herald the family’s loss of their business in the fire was heartbreaking.

Kaipara gas station left charred by blaze overnight. Photo / Supplied

The family had previously opened up to Nayyar about the pain thefts had caused them.

The Gas Kaihu was in flames when three fire engines and four support vehicles arrived at 8.44pm yesterday.

“We had a service station admin and office block on fire,” a Fire and Emergency spokesperson said.

The Fenz spokesperson said there did not appear to be any reports of injuries.

Police helped Fenz after being called to the fire just before 9pm.

Akula Sharma is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2022. She has previously worked at the Gisborne Herald.