Sarah Timmins with the remains of her Hinemoa St home. Photo / Eva de Jong
Sarah Timmins with the remains of her Hinemoa St home. Photo / Eva de Jong
A Whanganui woman is having to rebuild her family’s life after a fire burned down their home and left her three children without school uniforms or their beloved toys.
Children Amelia, 12, Zander, 9, and Max, 4, lost all their toys, lunchboxes, schoolbags and uniforms in the fire. They were left with only one spare pair of clothes they had taken with them for the weekend.
“We lost everything,” Timmins said.
Balthazar (left) and Ivy managed to escape the fire on the property. Some plastic melted into Balthazar's coat as he ran out on to the street. Photo / Eva de Jong
It was especially hard for Max, who has autism, because he was desperate for his favourite toys that had been burned in the fire.
“All he wants is his dinosaur toys back.”
In what was her worst nightmare, Timmins’ dogs Balthazar and Ivy, who were being looked after by a neighbour, were stuck on the property during the fire.
One of Timmins’ neighbours saw a young man run into the burning home to rescue Balthazar.
“Whoever that young guy is, he is amazing,” Timmins said.
“I don’t know who he is but I would really like to shake his hand because he saved my dog.”
Balthazar (left) was rescued from the fire by a young man who the family want to thank for saving his life. Photo / Eva de Jong
Some plastic had fallen from the spreading fire and melted into Balthazar’s coat but he was otherwise uninjured.
Another neighbour hosed off Ivy who was stuck in the backyard but managed to escape from the home.
“I just want to thank all my immediate neighbours for doing everything that they could to help us out and save my dogs.”
The home was insured but all the special objects and memories belonging to Timmins’ late parents were also now gone.
Inside the remains of the home. Photo / Eva de Jong
Timmins said she was receiving remarkable support from the Whanganui community.
The Koha Shed, Thai Villa, Whanganui SPCA and Central Baptist Kindergarten had donated goods to the family to help keep them going until the resolution of their insurance claims.
Timmins’ workplace, Fitzies Cafe and Bakery, had also been understanding and supported her following the fire.
“I just want to thank the whole community for rallying behind us at this time and to complete strangers for helping us out.
