Help pours in after family’s house gutted

Press, 6 September 1989, Page 6

Help pours in after family’s house gutted

PA Nelson Goods, offers of help, and money flooded in yesterday for a Takaka family of 10 whose home was gutted by fire on Monday. Gary and Judy Bowden only had time to ensure their eight children were out of the Maori Road house and save a few possessions, before the house went up in smoke. Mrs Bowden, whose ninth child is due, stood and watched as the Takaka Volunteer Fire Brigade fought unsuccessfully to save the partly renovated house.

Two fire engines and 14 firemen pumped water from a nearby creek, but the fire had taken hold by the time they arrived and access was hampered by galvanised iron cladding used in the recent renovations.

A fire officer, Mr Philip Woolf, said the firemen could see the blaze Ikm away.

Paul Bowden, aged 10, was in the bedroom next to the room in which the fire began and said he saw the flames “and just jumped out the window.” His brother, Benjamin, aged 12, was outside but ran back to save the presents intended for his birthday in a fortnight’s time.

Mr and Mrs Bowden

were in the garden when the blaze broke out. “We just ran back inside to look for the children,” Mr Bowden said. “The first door 1 opened the flames leapt at me and burnt my hair.” He said it was amazing that the fire had spread so far without their knowing. Mr Bowden’s mother, Mrs Merle Bowden, who is staying with the family, said she believed the fire was caused by an electrical fault in the ceiling. Mr Bowden’s pottery business next to the house survived unscathed. He moved all his stock after the fire but said he hoped to be back in his pottery shop for the Christmas season. In the meantime, he would do as much business as he could through a local craft shop. The house was insured, but its contents were not. Friends and neighbours were quick to rally round with offers of accommodation and bedding and Mr and Mrs Bowden said they wanted to express their thanks. An appeal was launched by the local parish council’s chairwoman, Ms Fay Kilbride, who said the phone had been “running red hot” with offers of cash, clothing, beds, and household furniture.