Fire strikes couple for second time

A couple who lost their business in a fire in Ranfurly on Monday lost their home when it burnt to the ground three years ago.

Debbie Heron's Salad Bar, which she established two and a half years ago, was a writeoff.

The fire in Ranfurly destroyed three businesses – the Salad Bar, Bicycle Hire and Ranfurly Auto – and was described as the worst fire in 20 years in the town.

The fire brought back the three-year-old memories of returning from a daytrip to Alexandra only to discover that the home she and her husband, area school principal Peter Heron, had moved into only a month earlier had been burnt to the ground.

Mr Heron has been appointed principal of Papakura High School and Mrs Heron had negotiated the sale of her business with the necessary legalities being signed off this week. Now she has nothing to sell. The contents of the shop were insured but there would be no goodwill, which was included in the sale price, Mr Heron said.

Mrs Heron plans to stay on at their Waipiata property until their son Billy completes his secondary school education before they move to south Auckland.

For 72-year-old Ranfurly resident Maurice Pringle, the loss of the building meant the end of his family's association with the motor trade in the town.

"When Dad had the Ford and Chrysler agency back in the late 30s our whole family lived in the old building. I grew up in it and our play area was out the back of the garage in John St.

"The old building was later demolished and Dad had the building that was destroyed by fire on Monday replaced in 1951 and 52.

"A lot of my memories went up in smoke last Monday and I really feel sorry for the people who have lost their businesses. The only good thing is that there were no lives lost," Mr Pringle said.

Fire investigation officer Mike Cahill said the cause of the fire had not been determined but the area where it started had.

It was believed to have started in the smoko room of Ranfurly Auto.

Janet Parker, who along with her husband Dick own Ranfurly Auto and the bike hire business, said she had been advised that a fridge in the workshop dining room had been confirmed as having overheated and might have been the cause of the fire.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First