Uncertain future after large house fire

David Simpson and his ex-wife Christine Simpson are living in an Invercargill motel after fire destroyed their rental home in Ermedale, in western Southland.

The fire was on Friday and Work and Income New Zealand arranged temporary accommodation and food and clothing grants for the pair. David has been Christine’s main caregiver since she suffered an aneurism 16 years ago.

Christine had to learn to walk and talk again after the aneurism and has limited mobility. She has four caregivers in total and takes 35 pills a day.

Her wheelchair, commode, medical supplies and equipment were lost in the fire.

‘‘WINZ have really stepped up to help us [since the fire],’’ David said.

He hopes a state house can be found for him and Christine.

David said he and Christine were prepared to live anywhere.

‘‘We lost everything [in the fire]. We walked out with what we were wearing. We’ve got nothing. No washing machine, no bedding, no clothes drier, no cutlery. Being on a benefit and no insurance, I’m stuffed,’’ David said.

The investigator looking into the cause of the fire could not be contacted on Sunday for comment.

David said a lighted candle probably caused the fire but he doesn’t know for certain. Every night Christine lit a candle in her bedroom in remembrance of her late daughter, father and mother, and David would blow it out before he went to bed.

However, on Thursday night his planned short nap turned into a deep sleep and he didn’t awaken until hearing screams from Christine about 4.30am.

The fire quickly spread in the bedroom. David got Christine outside, rang 111 and then tried to put the fire out with buckets of water.

David said he filled 20 buckets before smoke inhalation forced him to stop.

Fire engines from Thornbury and Riverton and a tanker from Otautau attended the blaze initially, but another two trucks were needed, one arriving from Otautau and the other from Wallacetown.