'I loved my little house.”

Sadly, the little house on Comer Road which Helen Lee loved so much is now gone, after it was destroyed by the large bush fire which broke out just south of Whitianga on Tuesday night.

Around 100 hectares and six homes and the facilities of the Wilderland community have been razed to the ground by the fire which ignited at about 5pm. Firefighters are still currently battling the large scrub fire which has been fuelled by strong south-westerly winds.

Helen, who's lived on Comer Road since 1971, says she's still in shock which is compounded by the fact she's not slept since the fire broke out.

'My house burned down at 5am. My neighbour worked all night trying to save my home – clearing trees, stamping out fire, hosing down the ground, everything. He worked all night but had to get out at 5am because it was too hot.

'The fire crew couldn't get to my house because they were too busy, it was a huge fire, they were so over committed, there were fire fronts everywhere.”

While another neighbour, who was busy saving his mother's house at the time of the blaze, placed themselves in danger by entering her home to save Helen's guitars, flute and saxophone.

However, all of the Mercury Bay Big Band's instruments which were being stored at Helen's home are now gone, having been destroyed by the fire.

'It's a huge one, I'm still coming to terms with everything. I've lost my house, but that's okay you know. There's no people hurt, that's the biggest thing.”

MAYORAL FUND CREATED

The Thames-Coromandel District Council advises a mayoral fund, being coordinated by Civil Defence and local welfare groups, has now been established for anyone wanting to donate money to help people who've lost everything in the bush fire.

'We are in the process of contacting Comers Road and Wilderland Community residents to determine the level of assistance is required,” says Thames-Valley Civil Defence Area Controller, Garry Towler.

'We would like to invite all the affected people we haven't spoken to yet, to please get in touch with us and tell us what they need and how they can be helped.”

Any members of the community wanting to help make a donation via the mayoral fund or via the Give a Little page that has been set up, rather than donate goods at this stage.

Fire fighters involved in the efforts to contain the fire have requested that no more food be dropped off as they have plenty for the time being, and are very grateful for all the support and encouragement given by the community.

Donations to the Mayoral Fund can be made to ANZ bank account number 01 0455 0090620 01 to make a donation to the Wilderland Fire Recovery Fund visit:givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/wilderlandfire

Photo: Baylee Wooldridge.