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Paul Mitchell lost his bulldozer and digger after the flames raged onto his property at Tadmor Saddle just south of Nelson - Source: ONE News -
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A family have lost their home to a massive bush fire near Nelson while neighbours have been forced to flee for safety.
And local resident Paul Mitchell lost a bulldozer and digger after the flames raged onto his property and surrounded his farm.
While Mitchell couldn't reach his appliances in time, he counts himself lucky.
"The neighbours have lost their house and all their personal things, and that must be devastating," Mitchell told ONE News.
Principal Rural Fire Officer Neil Eder told ONE News that Caroline Wade, Mitchell's neighbour, was home alone when the fire reached her property.
"She had to drive through the fire and as she got to the chain gate there was no time to open the chain, so [she] took a shortcut around the side, out onto the main access, and then away from the fire," says Eder.
Wade appeared at the home of friends Tom and Judy Jelinek just as they were being evacuated.
"She helped us to pick up things, photos and bits of pieces, and throw everything in the car," the couple told ONE News.
Fire officers say that it will take around four days to completely stop the blaze.
The fire, which has claimed up to 300 hectares of pine plantation, scrub and native bush, began 4.15pm Thursday on Tadmore Saddle near Tapawera.
