Friends help out van owner
The driver of a campervan had to make a rapid dive to safety after his home burst into flames while he was driving it.
The man did not want to be named but told Stuff he was driving up Rapids Rd in Taupo¯ when the campervan exploded, blowing out the windows.
He managed to pull to the side of the road and get out without injury, but could only watch as his possessions went up in flames.
‘‘He was left standing on the side of the road in nothing but shorts, a singlet and crocs,’’ the man’s friend, Matt Yardley, said.
‘‘There was nothing salvageable. Even the engine melted.’’
The suspected cause of the fire, which happened on on September 30, was a gas leak behind the fridge.
Yardley, who owns Smashed As Contracting, said when he heard about the event, he swung into action.
‘‘We went and picked up the campervan and ended up taking it to the dump,’’ he said.
But, that’s not all he did. One post on a public Facebook page generated so much traffic, Yardley’s friend was fully equipped with another campervan and household items by the Wednesday after the fire.
‘‘Colin and Nat Porter from Rainbows Septic Tanks, along with myself, cashed in every favour that was owed,’’ Yardley said.
’’Colin and Nat found another campervan, the Salvation Army helped, and lots of people donated stuff.’’
Another man, who lives in Taranaki, even donated his campervan which is going to be auctioned off on Trade Me as a fundraiser and all proceeds made will go to Yardley’s friend.
‘‘That campervan is worth $12,500,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s just amazing.’’
Even the pushbike that was on the back of the campervan has been fully rebuilt thanks to Mark Gibson at Top Gear Cycles.
While Yardley, with the help of many people, has managed to replace all the practical items all of his friend’s personal items can never be replaced.
‘‘He has no personal items any more,’’ Yardley said.
‘‘His lifetime collections are gone.’’
A Give-a-little page has been set up, to try to soften the blow the fire has caused.
Yardley says he wants to thank everyone who has helped.
‘‘There’s an amazing amount of people who will help out a stranger,’’ he said. ’’We have only done what people should do for friends.’’