Man Laments Loss of Dad's Extensive Vintage Car Collection in Southbridge Fire

A devastating fire near the Rakaia River in Southbridge has left a local man grieving the loss of his late father's extensive vintage car collection, but he has expressed relief that no one was injured in the blaze. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, was tackled by eleven ground crews and two helicopters, with Fire and Emergency officials suspecting that forestry burn piles may have been the cause.

The fire consumed two large sheds on Ben Lappage's family property, which housed a treasure trove of vintage cars, car parts, and a tractor. These sheds were not only a storage space for vehicles but also a repository of cherished memories. Ben's father, Nick Lappage, was a passionate car enthusiast from a young age, and his love for vintage automobiles was evident in the collection he amassed over the years.

Among the vehicles lost in the fire were several Mark II Ford Cortinas from the late 1960s and a 1962 Massey Ferguson tractor, many of which were in varying states of disrepair. The sheds contained between 10 to 15 cars and the tractor, but also held parts for about 50 additional vehicles. Lappage described the speed with which the fire spread, saying that once the wind picked up, it was a matter of minutes before the sheds were engulfed in flames.

"As far as I've been told with that wind yesterday, once the fire took hold, it was minutes. Once those sheds caught fire, it was game over," Lappage said. He expressed gratitude that no one was hurt during the incident, noting that contractors who were on-site harvesting trees were unharmed and their equipment remained intact. "As tragic as it is, you can always get more stuff, but the fact that no one was hurt was a real positive," he added.

One of Nick Lappage's first cars, purchased when he was about 19 years old, was among those lost to the flames. Ben and his two brothers have been managing the family farm since their father's death, nearly 13 years ago. Their mother passed away a decade later, on the same day that marked the end of their parents' dream of retiring to the Southbridge property, a goal they never saw fulfilled.

Fire investigators are expected to arrive at the site later today to determine the cause and origin of the fire. In the meantime, authorities have urged residents in Canterbury to avoid lighting fires and to ensure that any existing burn piles are fully extinguished, as high winds are forecast for the area. "We also urge people to check any existing burn piles to make sure they are fully extinguished," a spokesperson said.

The loss of the vintage car collection is a profound one for the Lappage family, but the relief that no lives were lost offers a glimmer of hope in the face of such devastation. As the community comes together to support the family, the memory of Nick Lappage's passion for cars will undoubtedly live on in the stories shared by those who knew him.