Family appeals for help after losing everything in car fire

A family who lost all of their worldly possessions in a car fire while relocating to the North Island is appealing for help to "kick-start" their lives again.

Vineet Shiriwastow, 36, his pregnant wife Vibhah, 29, and young sons Vishiv, 3, and Ved, 1, were moving from Christchurch to Tuakau last month when they noticed smoke coming from their Ford Falcon XR6.

They pulled over near Taumarunui where Mr Shiriwastow saw flames near the petrol tank.

"We got the kids out and within 30 seconds, the whole car was engulfed. It was wickedly scary," Mr Shiriwastow said.

Firefighters put out the blaze, but the flames, smoke and water destroyed or damaged everything they owned.

"We pretty much just walked away with the clothes on our backs."

Now, the Shiriwastows have started a Givealittle page to try and replace lost clothes, electronics, homeware goods, and toys.

But they know they can never replace some items, like the USB flash drive loaded with special family snapshots, and Mrs Shiriwastow's family heirloom jewellery.

They have been humbled by the generosity of the Tuakau community, with beds and toys having already been donated.

But they are still hoping for some more help in getting back on their feet.

"I feel quite bad to be on the Givealittle site because there is a lot of people out there who need help," Mr Shiriwastow said.

"But we've always helped people ourselves and we always will. What goes around comes around.

"We just need a bit of a kick-start and we'll be right. Things can only get better. The main thing is the kids are safe."

To donate to the Shiriwastow family click here