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

The blaze reportedly started in the family’s prayer room and quickly spread to the roof. Fortunately, two passersby noticed the flames and alerted the family. Despite Naicker’s multiple attempts to contact the National Fire Authority (NFA) through phone calls and his personal visit to the local fire station, help arrived too late to salvage any belongings. Naicker expressed his frustration, stating that a quicker response could have potentially mitigated their losses.

This incident represents the second significant house fire in the Northern Division within just two weeks, following a similar tragedy on New Year’s Day in Waiqele, where another family also lost their home while they were away. The earlier fire caused damages estimated at $250,000, raising serious concerns about fire safety and emergency response capabilities in rural areas.

Acting Divisional Police Commander North, Superintendent Eroni Soqosoqo, confirmed investigations into both incidents are ongoing. The frequency of these fires has emphasized the urgent need for improved fire safety measures and resources to ensure better preparedness in rural communities.

As the Naicker family copes with their loss by staying with relatives, there is hope that these tragedies will prompt meaningful discussions and actions regarding fire safety protocols. Community support during this difficult time displays the resilience that families may rely on moving forward, indicating a collective commitment to fostering a safer environment for all residents.

In summary, while the heartbreak of such incidents is profound, there remains a strong sense of community unity and a hopeful outlook that may lead to enhanced fire safety awareness and infrastructure improvements in the future.