The Indian-origin family is now pleading for urgent accommodation and assistance to renew their passports after losing “everything in the fire” that tore through their rented two-storey home early on Thursday morning.
“Had we been two minutes late, we wouldn’t have survived,” Sanjay, a chef and father of a seven-year-old boy, who, along with his wife, narrowly escaped a devastating house fire that destroyed their home in Remuera, Auckland, told The Indian Weekender.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) told local media it received multiple calls shortly after 1 am about the blaze on Hapua Street.
“Around 1am, I heard a glass break while my wife and son were sleeping,” Sanjay told The Indian Weekender.
“When I opened the door, the whole living area was already up in flames. We were just two minutes away from being trapped by the fire.”
The family lived on the upper floor, sharing the property with two other occupants on the downstairs level. FENZ shift manager Lauren Sika told RNZ that firefighters arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames. Nine crews battled the blaze at its peak before bringing it under control. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
Police confirmed all occupants were evacuated safely and treated for minor injuries. “Police will be working with Fire and Emergency New Zealand investigators to understand the circumstances surrounding the fire and determine next steps,” a spokesperson said.
Despite surviving the blaze, Sanjay says his family has been left homeless and without support.
“Police said we would be placed in emergency housing, but nothing has been arranged yet. My wife and son had to knock on a friend’s door just to have a roof over their heads.”
Having lived in Auckland for 11 years, Sanjay says he feels abandoned in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“I was told to book a hotel and claim the bills later. I pay my taxes here, yet I’ve been left to fend for myself.”
The family lost all their belongings, including passports, documents, jewellery, and savings. “Our Indian passports were burned. We have nothing left,” Sanjay told The Indian Weekender, his voice breaking.
“Sab kuch hote hue bhi main zero ho gaya hoon (Despite having everything, I’ve been reduced to nothing).”
He is now appealing to the Indian community and local authorities for help in finding temporary accommodation as he begins to rebuild his life from scratch.
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