Sanjay Nand feels fortunate after his family narrowly escaped a fire that broke out in the house they were renting on Tiri Road in Nadawa, Nasinu, yesterday.
“The blaze originated in the middle room, but I’m grateful that my wife, mother-in-law, and niece all got out with only minor burns,” said Mr. Nand. “My wife was the sole family member who required hospital treatment.”
Mr. Nand explained that he was at work when he received the alarming news about the fire. Upon arriving home, he found the house still engulfed in flames, while his family members stood outside.
“I rent this three-bedroom house for $1000 a month, but I am unaware of the estimated damages caused by the fire,” he added. Mr. Nand expressed his gratitude towards the firefighters who swiftly managed to control the flames and prevent them from spreading to neighboring properties.
“When my wife entered the bedroom, she found the mattress already ablaze, but the cause of the fire remains unknown,” he stated, noting that the flames quickly spread to the roof of the house.
Mr. Nand mentioned that his family typically prays at home every day. He described their diya (a lamp symbolically lit during prayers) and suggested it was uncertain if it played a role in the fire, as it would have landed on the tray if it had fallen.
The National Fire Authority confirmed they received reports of the incident and that a team from Valelevu responded to contain the fire. The initial cause is still under investigation. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro also confirmed the situation, stating that two women and a child managed to evacuate safely. She noted that the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, pending the fire report from the NFA.