Seven family members have been left homeless after a significant fire destroyed their two-storey, seven-bedroom house, along with their shop and Kava Bar in Malawai, Nadi, yesterday morning. The property was owned by Abdul Munaf and had served as a family business for over 35 years.
According to Abdul’s son, Nazil Nabeel, the shop had closed on Saturday night and all family members were asleep when the fire erupted. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation.
“The fire is believed to have started from the back. My two-bedroom apartment, the shop, and Kava bar were all on the ground floor, while our family home with five bedrooms was upstairs,” Mr. Munaf explained.
He lamented that they could save nothing from the fire except the clothes they were wearing. “At this moment, we are homeless and unsure of where to stay. My parents are currently at a friend’s house,” he said, describing the emotional impact of the loss.
“It was heartbreaking to see everything we’ve worked so hard for go up in flames,” he added, estimating the damage at over $100,000.
The National Fire Authority has confirmed that their officers responded to the incident and are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire. Police have also stated that an inquiry is underway.