Farm fire fatality has family in shock

A MAN and his son escaped with their lives but could not save their wife and mother as fire claimed their remote Tararua farmhouse.

Diane Henricksen, 61, died in the early morning blaze yesterday. Her husband, John, and their oldest son, Carey, who were also in the house at the time, escaped.

A police spokeswoman said they tried to get back in to save her, but were unable to.

Senior Constable David Kirk, of Pongaroa, said the house, in Korora Rd, about 30 minutes from Pongaroa, was destroyed. ‘‘It was razed.’’

Investigators were at the house most of the morning and had taken statements from family members, but there were not thought to be any suspicious circumstances, he said.

He did not know why Mrs Henricksen had not been able to get out.

Mr Kirk said the blaze was thought to have started in a bedroom, but no further information was available. ‘‘It’s just an absolute tragedy.’’

Mr Henricksen’s brother, Karl, who lives nearby, was at the farm comforting family members. The family was in shock, he said.

‘‘It’s still very raw . . . we have nothing to say at this stage.’’

Mr Kirk said family members gathered at the house were distraught.

‘‘They’re a close-knit family, long-time farmers in the district. It’ll hit the community hard.’’

The blaze was reported about 2.45am, Dannevirke Fire Chief Mike Finucane said.

Crews from Pongaroa, Weber and Dannevirke attended, as well as fire investigators from Hastings and Dannevirke.

However, Hawke’s Bay fire service area commander Chris Nicoll emphasised how remote the farmhouse was, even from Pongaroa.

‘‘You wouldn’t get many places more remote with people living in them. When something like that happens in a place like that, it’s bail out really.

‘‘It’s the rapid spread of fire that really catches people out – how quickly a fire will engulf a house.’’

The Hendriksens were stalwart supporters of Puketoi Rugby Club and well respected in the community.

Neighbour Dan Smith said he knew them well. ‘‘It’s a terribly sad thing.’’

Tararua District Council Mayor Roly Ellis, who lives in Pongaroa, said Mrs Henricksen would be missed.

‘‘It’s such a hell of a shock, they’re an amazing farming family and such important citizens out there.

‘‘It’s a huge loss, but the thing about being part of a rural community like this is when the chips are down you just support one another.’’