Franklin rural house fire

For those of you in the Franklin region, you might be aware that a rural house burned down late last night. I am led to believe NZ radio news reports said it was arson...

Well it was ours. Our Tenants (mum and 5 kids) were missing for some time and couldn't be found. Neighbours knew they were "around" and so we all thought the worst this morning.

Fortunately she returned home and is as shocked as we are.

Going from information given to the neighbours, it was an electrical fault/short/overload/problem. From seeing the photos from our Agent and investigator, not much is left that is worth saving.

We are insured, and no doubt many questions will need to be answered before we can start to clear and rebuild.

I just thought I would let you all know that everyone is ok and it appears not to be arson.

Good heavens! Were you fond of the house? Was it's presence part of your plans? That's coming out strangely in writing, but I'll hope you get my intent.

quote:Originally posted by swaggie

For those of you in the Franklin region, you might be aware that a rural house burned down late last night...Well it was ours.

Oh BUGGA [:0] [:0] [:0] [:0], really sorry to hear that Swaggie [xx(] [xx(] [xx(] [xx(]

We have two pretty old houses on our block, and while they are nothing great, at least they provide somewhere to live while you build something better. It would be really gutting if either of them was to burn down.

Commiserations mate, I hope this doesn't change your plans to move over this side of the ditch [?]

Thankyou both.

We bought it more for the land rather than the house, and it was part of the longer term plan of moving across the ditch as Mum and Dad were actually meant to move into it full time once across, being nearby without being close....

At this stage, the insurance wants to know about the history of the house, and as it was a tow on in the 80's there isn't much else I can say about it as that occured ages before we bought the property.

Our maintenance issues were up to date, so nothing outstanding there.

We can't see how it was overloaded as the tenant and family had gone away, and only return this morning to find police and firemen all over it.

Its not a pretty sight at all. Esp. the kids clothing and beds burned.

Not really sure what happens now....

Sorry to hear that - there is an upside - you should end up with a new house. No help right now though and the tenats are homeless.
So glad no body was hurt.

How awful, and very difficult to deal with from across the ditch I imagine. Awful for the tenants too.

hope it all gets sorted out without too many hitches.

Commiserations

I am so sorry to hear your news. Man that must have been some shock finding out! I so hope the insurance pays out quickly with no hassels. We have friends who a few years ago moved onto their land living in a double garage with bathroom and kitchen. They were planning their house etc when while they were away camping one New Years Eve some Ass***** burnt down their garage. We helped them clean up what was left, which was very little. Its a smell I wont ever forget. It was just so sad watching this family come home to nothing but burnt remains. People used to say to them things like "oh well think of all the nice new stuff you can have now"!! Like my friend said its not nice having to get new stuff because of a fire, and she said many times through tears, that it wasn't the new stuff she wanted, but her old stuff with all the memories etc.

yes its left a family of little children homeless, although the stock are fine for the time being.. and the family have gone elsewhere for now.

I must admit that we all thought they were dead this morning. The police were searching for bodies because it was too hot last night. To say the relief wave we all felt knowing that they are well and ok is overwhelming and probably shadows the negatives. I still haven't heard from the police though, its all from neighbours and the insurance investigator.

To have the NZ police telephone looking for Hubby was a shock this morning. He had only just left for work. I was thinking at the time our car must have been stolen or something, nothing like this at all...

Cheers to the family's good health.

Holy guacamole!!! So glad to hear that everyone is ok and that it was not in fact arson. But sh*t what a scare for everyone!!! Poor kiddies, they will have lost all their possessions and, when you are little, that sort of thing must be so devastating

swaggie - I just want to add that I worked for an insurance company and as far as I am concerned, it was their responsibility to ensure that the house was insurable so to speak. No point having them trying to get out of it afterwards if their Sales Rep did not do their business. As long as you declared honestly, the state of the building, the age especially if it was over 60 years old, that the wiring, plumbing etc had been upgraded (for that age) - just know to not go there if they start making things difficult for you.

So glad to hear your tenants are fine. Just hoping that everything was declared "on the books" so that there is no out for the insurance company. People don't always realise how inportant it is to be upfront and honest about what they have, tenanted building, age etc that non disclosure can give the Insurance Company an out. That is NOT a critisism of them - just a reminder to all of you out there. Be honest if you want to be supported in your grief at losing something you care about.

Many thanks Didi I answered their questions properly when we took out the insurance in the first instance, so I don't expect any hassles from that end of things.

She did ask me about maintenance and everything was attended to and I have receipts for the work done.
We had an electrician at the board last month too, to replace a fuse for the hot water. Nothing was said about needing to replace board etc...

However I saw the investigating photos and there are some not related with the house or damage. Two in particular that are very odd, but nothing to do with me. She has told the tenant she wants a meeting on Monday which I guess is normal procedure.

Going slightly off the main topic (swaggie's house), there was a house fire near us a few years ago. Initially they deduced an electrical fault as the damage was so extensive they had no other guess. It turned out that most likely it was a crystal glass ornament acting as a lens and focusing the sun onto soft furnishings!

Saw something on the TV recently about car fires starting from bottles of water the same way.

Hi Swaggie, I had heard about it.

I've just had a talk with the OH and he says that if the family wants a bit of a break they can come over to our cafe and we will give them all a lunch on the house!! It's the best we can do now but it may just take their mind off their loss for a few minutes. You can email us if you want.

Cheers,

HP

quote:Originally posted by HarryPotter

Hi Swaggie, I had heard about it.

I've just had a talk with the OH and he says that if the family wants a bit of a break they can come over to our cafe and we will give them all a lunch on the house!! It's the best we can do now but it may just take their mind off their loss for a few minutes. You can email us if you want.

Cheers,

HP

Geese, HP that is a really lovely offer thankyou... not sure which one you are at though.... I must pop in and see you down the track, will ask at Penny's as I go in there to browse when across the ditch.

I am not in contact with B because it all gets done through an agency in "town".

Our builder/maintenance man has arranged for her to visit his church op shop on Tuesday to help out where possible.

Not sure what sort of contents insurance she has.

I know I have to answer more questions on Monday... these things seem to take time and no one will officially tell me anything. (or even unofficially for that matter except to say in their opinion there is nothing left to repair).

My agency says she is due in on Monday to go through procedures and they are doing what they can to assist as well. WINZ will be involved as well.

If you know someone at the op shop, and I am presuming its the local one (without being location specific) at least we can try to get the message through...

We telephoned our builder/maintenance man again this afternoon, he said he has been in contact again to ensure she is ok and she is getting a lot of help and support from all around. That is very reassuring to know.

I really appreciate your offer, and I will do my best to pass it along.

I am just so grateful that B and the kids are alive and well!