Family of four flees early morning fire

Rata St homeowners Ian and Suzanne Nichol, of Outram, discuss the fire which razed their home...
Rata St homeowners Ian and Suzanne Nichol, of Outram, discuss the fire which razed their home yesterday with fire inspector Barry Gibson and Wanaka fire officer Garry Templeton (obscured). Photo by Matthew Haggart.
A family of four awoke to find their Wanaka house on fire and escaped minutes before the property was engulfed by flames yesterday morning.

John and Tracy Scott were woken by their 3-year-old daughter Millie about 2.30am and noticed a glow down the hallway of the Rata St house they have lived in since December.

While Mrs Scott took Millie and their 1-year-old son Jack through the back door to safety, Mr Scott freed the family dog Rusty from his kennel under the house.

"He [Rusty] was locked up underneath pretty close to where the fire kicked off and bolted as soon as the door opened," Mr Scott said.

The insured property is a holiday home belonging to Mrs Scott's parents, Ian and Suzanne Nichol, of Outram.

The Wanaka builder and Upper Clutha rugby club captain thanked friends and the community for the support which has been extended throughout yesterday's "stressful time".

"Everyone has been great and we've had heaps of offers of clothes, places to stay, and toys for the kids," he said.

Mrs Scott said their biggest loss was the family photo albums which contained baby pictures of their children.

Wanaka brigade senior firefighter Bill Tomlin said the house was engulfed "end to end" by fire and threatening to jump a 4m gap to a neighbouring property.

"The whole place came crashing down in flames minutes after we arrived," he said.

Dunedin-based fire inspector Barry Gibson said the fire started at the front of the house underneath a west-facing balcony.

The fire was not suspicious, nor deliberately lit, but the exact cause was still to be determined, he said.

About 18 firefighters from Wanaka and Luggate battled for more than two hours to douse flames and stop them spreading next door.

Gale force winds made fighting the fire difficult.

The Wanaka fire brigade attended a second call yesterday afternoon near Ballantyne Rd when a shelter belt caught fire.

It was extinguished soon after fire appliances arrived at the scene.

 

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