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Napier Couple Loses Decades of Memories in House Fire
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Published in House and Home on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 18:20 GMT by The New Zealand Herald- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Napier couple devastated as decades of memories burn away in a house fire
A 12‑year‑old family home in Napier went up in flames on Saturday, leaving a local couple with only a handful of items left to salvage and a trail of emotional and financial wreckage to mend. The house, which had been home to the pair for more than a decade, was located on the corner of Manganui Street and had long been a repository of family history – photographs, heirlooms, and a lifetime’s worth of personal artefacts.
A sudden blaze that destroyed a life’s worth of belongings
According to the Hawke’s Bay Today report, the fire was reported to the Napier Fire Brigade at 2:45 p.m. after a neighbour heard an alarm coming from the kitchen. By the time the brigade arrived, flames were already licking the exposed timber of the roof and the interior walls had turned a deep orange. The firefighters, who were on a routine patrol that day, were able to bring the blaze under control by 6:30 p.m., but the damage was already done.
In a statement posted to the Napier Fire Brigade’s official social‑media feed, a spokesperson said that the blaze “originated in the kitchen and spread rapidly through the upper floors. We are currently conducting a full post‑incident assessment to determine the exact cause.” The brigade’s investigation – which is linked from the article – suggests that the fire was likely sparked by faulty wiring in the kitchen area, a theory that police are now examining in depth.
The couple, who are 48‑year‑old Katrina & Steven Thompson, have been living in the house since 2010, when they purchased the property from their parents. They have two children – 12‑year‑old Mia and 9‑year‑old Luke – who are currently staying with relatives while the family copes with the loss. Neither parent sustained injuries in the blaze.
What was lost
The Thompson’s home had been a trove of family items. Among the casualties were:
| Item | Description | Value (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Family photo album | 50‑year‑old album of wedding photos and holidays | $500 |
| Vinyl record collection | Rare 1970s LPs and a 1965 78‑rpm LP | $800 |
| Antique silverware | 1930s tea set and silver bowl | $1,200 |
| Digital camera | Sony A6400 with lenses | $1,200 |
| Wedding ring | Gold band, originally purchased in 2009 | $300 |
| 100‑year‑old silver bowl | Family heirloom from 1923 | $600 |
| Family art collection | Drawings, paintings, and scrapbooks | $400 |
| Pet dog’s collar and toys | 4‑year‑old Labrador’s collar, toys, and bone | $100 |
The total value of the lost belongings is estimated to be around $5,500. The Thompsons are currently filing an insurance claim with their provider, the article notes, and the insurer has yet to issue a payout.
Community response and emotional fallout
The article quoted Katrina as saying: “We’ve lost everything we can think of that belongs to us. I’m still trying to understand how to get back on my feet. My husband, my kids, we’re all a little dazed, but we’re going to get through it.” Steven added that he “feels a mix of relief that no one was hurt, and the sorrow of the loss of so many pieces of his past.”
Neighbors and local residents have rallied around the family. A neighbour who lives across the street reported that she helped move a few of the Thompsons’ personal items from the house to a nearby storage facility before the fire was fully contained. The article linked to a community Facebook group where many members have shared food, clothing, and financial donations.
The Napier Fire Brigade has also expressed its support. A post on their Facebook page read: “We’re here for the Thompson family. If you’d like to donate, please see our community relief page.” The Brigade’s social‑media feed includes a photo of the damaged kitchen and a “Thank you” card that the family received from the Brigade.
Investigations and future steps
While the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, the Police New Zealand Fire Investigation Unit is conducting a forensic analysis of the site. The article linked to a police statement confirming that they will “look at any evidence left behind and conduct an interview with the residents to determine the source of the ignition.” If the investigation points to an electrical fault, the Thompson’s may be eligible for a compensation payout from the government’s fire safety grant program.
The Thompsons have said that their immediate priority is to secure a temporary place to stay while they figure out how to rebuild their lives. Their current plan is to move into a flat that a family friend is offering. The house itself will remain under assessment, with the local council planning a detailed structural inspection before any rebuilding work begins.
A reminder of how quickly life can change
The Thompson’s story, as reported in Hawke’s Bay Today, is a stark reminder of how quickly a life can change in a single instant. While the family faces an uphill battle to recover from the physical loss of possessions, they also grapple with the intangible loss of memories and the sense of place that the house once embodied. As the community rallies around them, the family’s resilience will likely become a testament to the power of community support in times of crisis.
Read the Full The New Zealand Herald Article at:
[ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/napier-couple-lose-most-of-their-belongings-to-fire-in-house-theyve-lived-in-for-more-than-a-decade/6EERVPATZRGAXCOVTLQFRLVQ6M/ ]
