Mum grateful for community support after fire
Nearly $4000 and countless items have been donated to a Pongakawa family after they lost almost everything in a devastating house fire last week.
Shavaughan Burkett said she “can’t thank everyone enough” for the outpouring of community support her family has received since the fire on September 19.
The three-bedroom Arawa St rental home she shared with partner Blake Curtis and their children — Korbin, aged 21⁄ and 2 5-month-old Jaylah — was gutted by the fast-moving blaze.
Most of their belongings were burned, or smoke-damaged beyond repair.
Ms Burkett said she still could not talk about the fire, which investigators have confirmed started with a pot of oil left on the stove while the family of four briefly popped out.
“I’m still dealing with my emotions. My body still feels numb.”
The stay-at-home mum says she is grateful the fire had not happened when she and the kids were asleep in the lounge just a short time before.
In the immediate aftermath, the family were left with only the clothes on their backs.
“My son was just in a nappy for the first day.”
She said she had not realised how supportive the community would be.
Some of the donations included a dining table and chairs, and a new bed gifted by Harvey Norman, as well as clothes and toys for the children.
“People have been buying us things instead of gifting on old things. Every time someone tells me they have something for us, I’m in tears again — my eyes are swollen and red.
“The amount of love everyone has been giving me and my family has been unbelievable.”