Family suspects new fridge linked to fire
A Waikato family has ‘‘lost everything’’ after a fire, suspected to be caused by a faulty seven-dayold fridge, burnt their home to the ground.
Emergency services were called to a fire at the family’s house in Patetonga, in the Hauraki Plans, around 11pm on Tuesday, northern fire communications shift manager Chris Dalton said.
At the time, the Yanes were at a family member’s house 30 minutes away and it wasn’t until they received a call from their neighbour urging them to get home did they know their Tramline Rd home was up in flames.
They returned home to find charred debris strewn across the lawn where their house once stood.
They had insurance, but it expired one month ago.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said their fire investigator had so far classified the cause of the fire as undetermined, which sometimes happened when the damage was too extensive.
They could not even say which area of the house the blaze started in.
But the family suspects it to be the brand-new fridge they purchased the week before.
‘‘The fridge had an electric short,’’ the family’s daughter, Luzmila, said.
Luzmila, 12, was translating for her parents Walter and Patricia who speak little English.
She said her parents purchased the side-by-side fridge/freezer for $1400 and had since lodged an official complaint with the company they purchased it from.
When contacted by Stuff ,a company spokesperson said they were awaiting the results of an official investigation as to the cause of the fire.
‘‘At this stage it is not confirmed and is in the hands of the fire service,’’ the spokesperson said.
‘‘The family called us and as a gesture of support, we have provided a gift card to help them through the next few weeks with clothing and toiletries and some essentials.
‘‘We feel for this and any family that loses their home.’’
The Yanes moved to New Zealand six years ago from Uruguay, South America.
They have been sharemilking on the Patetonga farm for two and a half years.
Along with her parents, Luzmila lives with her brother Lucas, 9 and cousin, 20.
They have moved into another farmhouse 1km down the road while they get back on their feet.
‘‘I’m in shock, we all are. It’s not something you would expect to happen,’’ Luzmila said.
‘‘My parents didn’t believe it was happening. My dad almost fainted when he saw the house was gone.
‘‘We’ve lost everything, there was nothing left.
‘‘The only thing visible was a burnt down dryer and washer and that’s now just metal. We haven’t been able to salvage anything.’’
Now they’re asking the community for help.
‘‘We need everything, anything personal, non-perishable food would also be very helpful,’’ Luzmila said.
‘‘Everything is completely gone.’’
People can text 0210760750 or 0272344003 if they would like to donate.
‘‘We’ve lost everything, there was nothing left. The only thing visible was a burnt down dryer and washer. We haven’t been able to salvage anything.’’ Daughter Luzmila