A tragic event unfolded last Friday night in Vunivau, Labasa, where a family lost their home, valued at $200,000 and built over 45 years, to a devastating fire. Prasheel Naicker, 27, recounted that his father, grandmother, and uncle were in the house when the fire broke out while he was out in Labasa Town visiting relatives.

The fire reportedly started in the family’s prayer room and quickly spread to the roof. Naicker expressed his deep frustration with the delayed response from the National Fire Authority (NFA), believing that a faster intervention could have allowed them to salvage some belongings. Passersby alerted his family to the flames, prompting Naicker’s attempts to contact the NFA. Despite making multiple calls and rushing to the local fire station to advocate for a quicker response, help arrived too late to prevent the complete loss of their home.

This fire marks the second major incident of its kind in the Northern Division within just two weeks. The first incident occurred on New Year’s Day in Waiqele, Labasa, where another family’s home was destroyed while they were abroad, resulting in estimated damages of $250,000. Discussions about fire safety measures and the limitations faced by emergency services in rural areas have been ignited following these tragedies.

Superintendent Eroni Soqosoqo, the Acting Divisional Police Commander North, confirmed that investigations into both incidents are ongoing. Local authorities are evaluating the challenges they face during emergencies in rural areas, emphasizing the need for improved fire safety protocols and resources.

As the Naicker family stays with relatives during this difficult time, there remains a spirit of hope that these events will lead to significant improvements in community resilience and fire safety measures. The shared experiences of the affected families may catalyze discussions around better preparedness and response strategies, fostering a safer environment for all residents in the future.

In summary, while the Naicker family faces an immense loss, their story underscores the critical importance of community support and collective action toward enhancing fire safety and emergency response protocols.