Kelly MakihaMultimedia Journalist·Rotorua Daily Post·9 Jul, 2026 04:21 AM4 mins to read‌Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to the blaze on Hona Rd by multiple calls from the public just after 7am. Video / Ben FraserA Rotorua man described as an incredible father died minutes after escaping uninjured from his burning home this morning, his son says.

He told the Rotorua Daily Post it was hard to believe his 60-year-old father survived a burning house only to die from what he suspected was an unrelated