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Family homeless after fire PAULA HULBURT
paula@topsouthmedia.co.nz
A young family has lost everything after a fire gutted their Blenheim home. Kalara and Akeneta Ragasau and their three young children, are being cared for by friends after a blaze broke out in their Colemans Road home on Sunday. A family friend says they have been left devastated by the blaze; and by ugly rumours blaming the fire on them. “There are three kids involved so why would a mother or any normal human being want to wish a fire in their own house, Why would they risk everything? “The fact that they are all alive is all that matters. It’s been a nightmare for them. They have lost everything,” she says. Emergency crews rushed to the house, situated next door to Ashwood Park Retirement home, about 2.15pm. Three fire engines, police and an ambulance were called to the fire, with firefighters donning breathing apparatus. The family were checked over by
A blaze on Colemans Road on Sunday has left the young family without a home. Photos: Matt Brown. medical staff. Now staying in a motel, the family, including two girls aged 3 and 4 years old and a 2-year-old boy, are struggling to come to terms with the ordeal. While some members of the online Marlborough community rallied to help with offers of donations, the family have first asked for time.
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Their friend says support at this difficult time is appreciated. But she says the negative reaction online among some has made the family’s ordeal worse. “Blenheim is a small town, and you’d think it’d be easier to work together as a community, but there will always people there to say otherwise. “The least we all could do is sup-
port them.” Clinical Manager Sue Sheat from Ashwood Park Retirement home who works with the couple, says the family are grateful for all the offers of help. “They thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. “They politely decline any donations of goods and clothing at present. They understandably
are trying to come to terms with where they are going through and what they need. “Again, thanks for the love and support that has and is being shown. Know it is appreciated.” A Givealittle page has been set up to help the family re-establish their home. Visit givealittle.co.nz/cause/ lets-help-the-ragasau-family
Proven, experienced leadership Authorised by Nadine Taylor
nadinetaylor.co.nz marlboroughapp.co.nz