A crucifix that hung in the Marist Saints’ clubroom appears to be one of the few things that survived a massive fire that destroyed the building this morning.
Crews were called to the 100-year-old Mt Albert rugby league club in Auckland at around 3.30am, where the blaze had ripped through its clubroom.
Despite their best efforts, crews were unable to extinguish the flames before the roof caved in and the building collapsed.
This morning, club faithful gathered around the charred remains while police and firefighters conducted their investigations.
One of the club's long-time members, Hans Wulf, was sitting on a bench holding a crucifix. He told 1News it was one of the only things from inside to be saved.
“One of the firefighters came down and gave it to me,” he said.
“This is the history of the club. This is where you get the name from, Marist.”
Wulf has been a club member for over 50 years, joining in 1970.
In his time there, he’s played, followed and coached teams, saying he once coached a young Sonny Bill Williams when the Kiwis and All Blacks legend was there as a junior.
Auckland Rugby League said it was "gutted" to hear about the blaze at Murray Halberg Park. (Source: 1News)
He described the club as one big “family” and said it was sad to see the clubrooms destroyed.
“You don't want to see it,” he said. “It’s sad, it's really sad. The memories and the history of the club are gone.
“I’ve got some photos of my family, my son, now it’s gone, all the kids who had photos, they’re gone. It's very tough.”
Starting in 1919, Marist Saints has seen its fair share of players graduate to the NRL, including Williams, Jerome Ropati and former Kiwis captain Roy Asotasi.
“This club is different from other clubs,” Wulf said.
“Whoever walks into the club, whatever player walks into the club, has never left the club. They stay here until their football is finished.
“I’ve been here since 1970, and I’m still here.” He said that, “once you join the club… you’re stuck.
“All my kids, my nephew, nieces, they all played for Marist, and now I’ve got grandchildren, they play for Marist.
“You look at the NRL. Most of their young players are all from this place. They’re all from Marist. This club’s got talent.”
Sonny Solomona, who has been playing at Marist since the 1980s, said that everyone at the club is united – regardless of who they are.
“I am a Methodist, and I was always asked why I play with the Catholics.
“We all come from everywhere. We do it for our own wellbeing."
It wasn’t just rugby being played at the club, but also music. The Caribbean Southern Stars Steel Band practices there weekly. All of their drums and trophies had been destroyed in the fire.
Camille Nakhid, the group's founder, said it was “devastating” to see the building destroyed.
“It means so much to all the people here and the community.”
Auckland Rugby League said they were "gutted" to hear about the blaze at Murray Halberg Park.
"Marist Saints have a long history, so this is devastating for our entire rugby league community," chief executive Rebecca Russell said.
"We are working closely with Fire and Emergency NZ as they investigate the cause of the fire and are unable to comment further at this time.
"Our aroha goes out to the Marist Saints community as we support the club through this tough time."
Police are treating the fire as unexplained "at this early stage". They said a scene examination will be carried out later today.
"Anyone with footage or information that may assist is asked to contact police via our 105 phone service," a spokesperson said.
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