House blaze splits up family

by Martin Tiffany | 9th February 2010

Email Story
Print
larger | smaller

Lesley Kata and her 3-year-old grandson Sekona Kata in front of their Gate Pa home which was destroyed by fire on Saturday. Looking on are family and Tongan community members (from left) Misi Hakaumotu, Kaybe Kata, Kina Kina, Rev Sione Kata, Molo Kata and

Have Your Say

Give us your thoughts on this story.

All Lesley Kata wants is for her family to live under the same roof again.

On Saturday evening Mrs Kata, her husband the Rev Sione Kata and family members had to stand and watch helplessly as their Gate Pa home was gutted by fire.

Yesterday the family had the heartbreaking task of picking through the burnt and blackened contents of their lives that lay scattered around the lawn of the Jones St house.

They lost almost everything in the fire as it took hold quickly and raced through the wooden house in just a few minutes.

What is making things even harder is that the family - three children and a 3-year-old grandson - have had to be split up and move in with members of the local Tongan community in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

Read more in today's Bay of Plenty Times