A 200-year-old bible is among the treasured personal possessions lost by one Lake Ōhau family when Sunday's fire ravaged their home..
The fire has burned more than 5500 hectares in the McKenzie Basin, at least 40 homes were damaged or destroyed , and is still not completely under control.
Aerial photos had given Hugh Spiers hope that the BnB which he and his partner own had largely been spared.
But, as he explained to reporter Tess Brunton, a guided visit yesterday revealed serious damage.
