A second house in Vunivau, Labasa, was completely destroyed by fire yesterday, marking the second such incident in just a month. The homeowner, Mohammed Irshad, was in Suva for work at the time of the fire. His wife and two children were at home but fortunately escaped without injury.
Irshad, 31, expressed his shock after receiving a distressing phone call from his wife about the incident. “It happened between 7 am and 7:30 am,” he stated. He plans to return home soon to make arrangements for temporary accommodation until he can secure funds to rebuild their home.
Having lived in the three-bedroom house for eight years, Irshad, who works as a lorry driver, was unsure of the total damage costs but noted that it took him several years to accumulate their household items.
The National Fire Authority confirmed that they dispatched two fire trucks and nine officers from the Labasa Fire Station to respond to the emergency call. Divisional Police Commander North, Senior Superintendent of Police Kemueli Baledrokadroka, announced that an investigation has been initiated; however, the cause of the fire remains unknown.