A Coromandel community has spoken of its heartbreak at losing everything in a devastating scrub fire.
The blaze ripped through 11 hectares of bush south of Whitianga destroying four homes and a commune which was home to 26 people.
Today residents were allowed back in to see if they could find anything amongst the ashes.
Wilderland spokesperson Kennedy Baird says it was a tough day.
"There has been a lot of emotions going round some people have lost their houses, one girl, has lost all of her belongings."
Just down the road from the community, lie the remnants of a house which had just been renovated for a woman to enjoy in her retirement. A bathtub is now all that remains.
Principal rural fire officer Paul Shaw says it's very sad.
"A lot of the residents are sort of now coming to grips with the fact they have lost their homes but a lot of the others are very grateful they still have their homes,"
Fire crews remain at the scene of the blaze which began on Tuesday evening.
Local volunteers have given their time to create firebreaks to ensure the flames don't roar back to life.
Drizzle began falling in the Whitianga area around midday.
Fire fighters say it's the best weather they could've hoped for as it will help to extinguish this blaze and prevent others from starting elsewhere on the peninsula.
Six kilometres away in Whitianga, a drop off point has been set up for anyone wanting to donate goods to those who lost everything in the fire.
"We've had lots of people offering furniture, beds and lots of places to stay… so most people have places so that's under control but people want to give more," says donations coordinator Tara Corley.
It's been a tough few days for this tight knit community but they're vowing to pick up the pieces and rebuild.
"We're gonna fight as hard as we can to push through all of it's gonna be very big uphill battle," says Mr Baird.
In the middle of the hardship the group is also promising to give back, planning to replant the native bush where it makes its home.
Newshub.
