Greymouth family who lost everything in fire reunited with beloved cat

The cat that got away - Bonnie enjoys cuddles from Seth, right, and Ezra Billett. Bonnie miraculously survived the fire that destroyed their home, and has been reunited with its family again.

A Greymouth family who lost everything when their Coal Creek home burned to the ground last month have been reunited with one precious possession - their beloved pet cat.

Three-year-old tabby Bonnie escaped the flames unscathed, but everything else in the family's life went up in smoke in the early morning fire on November 23.

A week after the fire and with the family temporarily relocated to Karoro, Bonnie made its escape and disappeared after a door was accidentally left open.

As the days went by they despaired for their furry friend, but last week it was sighted - after nearly two weeks at large - when Bonnie turned up in the vicinity of Marsden Road, near Boddytown.

An appeal via public advertisement and social media eventually resulted in a happy reunion.

Having their "good natured" pet returned has brought a semblance of normality for the fire-devastated family, particularly for the two boys Seth, seven, and Ezra, four, just in time for Christmas.

Mrs Billett said since the fire they had been overwhelmed by support - often anonymously - from the community.

Together with the NZ Fire Service, of which husband Joel is a volunteer, Think Water West Coast, Karoro Kindergarten and Karoro School all deserved a mention for their support and help, she said.

The family was awoken by smoke alarms about 2.30am on the day of the fire, which was so intense it took several hours to control.

They walked away with most of their possessions either burned or too smoke damaged to effectively recover.

Mr Billett said that in the immediate aftermath of the fire it was "amazing how it all came together" with offers of moral and material support.

"We didn't expect anything and then it all sort of happened," he said.

The family is currently living with Mrs Billett's family while settling insurance and going through the process of getting a new house.

A fire investigation found the fire was probably caused by an electronic or electrical fault.