Fire rips through firewood business
A Waikato couple whose rural firewood business was itself, ravaged by fire, say they’re overwhelmed by support from customers, friends and their local community.
Rob and Margaret Sheehan woke near midnight last Friday to discover 30-metre flames devouring an implement shed on their property just south of Leamington in the Waipa¯ district.
Inside the shed were tools, vehicles and equipment they use for their Cambridge firewood business.
‘‘At about 10.30pm I heard this almighty screaming from my daughter next door, yelling there was a fire and to get out of the house,’’ Rob said.
‘‘So I ran out of bed in my underpants to the corner (of the property) and was in shock.
‘‘The flames were incredible, so close to our house.’’
A hedge between the shed and the house probably prevented the fire from spreading to their home.
Rob said neighbours had already raised the alarm with emergency services.
‘‘It took them (fire brigade) five and a half hours to get the fire under control, using three engines, two from Cambridge and one from Te Awamutu.
‘‘There were heaps of water tankers as well, and the fire guys worked in shifts through the night, taking a break, having a drink of water.
‘‘The fire brigades were just wonderful, I really have to take my hat off to them.’’
Dawn broke and the Sheehans were able to assess the damage.
They’re still unaware what caused the blaze but an investigation will reveal more.
‘‘We lost our shed which had our wheel tractor in it, firewood truck, a green van I had for years that I really cherished,’’ Rob said.
Only one of the vehicles was insured.
‘‘We had two trucks in there that were both loaded with firewood we were suppose to deliver on Saturday morning.’’
A four-wheel motorbike was also destroyed along with about $60,000 to $70,000 worth of macrocarpa wood the couple were keeping to use on renovations to their house.
Rob, 64, has been self-employed all of his life and although he’d been ‘‘hit hard by this fire’’, he’s not letting it knock him down.
The couple say it’s the busiest time of the year for their business as people stock up on firewood ahead of winter.
Thanks to the generosity of others, they’re working out how to fulfil their customers’ orders.
‘‘Our shed is gone but we have plenty of dry, firewood ready to deliver,’’ Margaret said.
They’ve been given a car to tow a trailer and a small truck to make deliveries.
‘‘We just need a forklift to be able to load the firewood on to the truck,’’ Margaret said.
Their nephew, Nathan Martin, has set up a Givealittle page in an effort to raise some funds to replace the equipment.
Rob said he’s happy no one was hurt in the fire and the event has given him a newfound respect for fire.
The generosity of others has also humbled the couple.
‘‘I’m used to being able to do everything myself but we’ve had people offering to come out and help, people we’ve had business associations with, old friends, it’s just been mind-blowing.
‘‘The generosity of people, I think Kiwis are just amazing.’’