A family of five has lost their home following a devastating fire that occurred in Rarawai, Ba, on Wednesday night. Manoj Kumar, a 55-year-old retired employee of the Fiji Sugar Corporation, described the harrowing experience of watching his two-bedroom house burn down. He, along with his wife and three children, had lived in the home for the past 50 years.
Mr. Kumar explained that the incident happened suddenly. He had left the house to pick up his wife, son, and daughter from a nearby service station. When they returned, they were met with the sight of their home engulfed in flames. “It was horrifying to stand there with just the clothes on our backs; everything we had is gone,” he said.
The fire reportedly broke out around 10:30 PM when no one was home. Mr. Kumar had gone to Nadi with his wife and daughter while waiting for his elder son to finish work. “I was alone in the house all day,” he added.
The blaze is believed to have originated from one of the rooms, and while police investigations are ongoing, initial reports suggest it was not caused by an electrical fault. “It’s a family home we cherished for 50 years, and now we have lost everything except a few clothes,” Mr. Kumar lamented. The family is currently staying with relatives in Rarawai.
They are now seeking financial assistance to help rebuild their home and to obtain essential food items and clothing. Attempts to reach Puamau Sowane, the chief executive officer of the National Fire Authority, for a comment went unanswered. Those wishing to support the Kumar family can reach out to Mr. Kumar directly at 9953371.