A family of seven is in need of assistance following a devastating fire that destroyed their home last Friday at Belego Settlement in Savusavu. Naren Chand, the 59-year-old homeowner, recounted that his daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren were at the house when the fire broke out.
“I was in Dreketi managing our business when I received the heartbreaking news around 7:30 PM,” Mr. Chand remarked. While the exact cause of the fire is still unknown, Mr. Chand stated that his children believe it was sparked by an electrical wiring fault in the ceiling, which then spread through the walls.
Mr. Chand shared that his daughter had recently built a flat to stay with her husband and their two children near his home. He reflected on the years of hard work it took to build their house, storeroom, and car park, stating, “My wife and I worked very hard to purchase everything for the home. We started from scratch.”
He emphasized the urgent need for support to rebuild, especially as his grandchildren are in need of assistance to continue their education after losing everything. The grandchildren are enrolled at Savusavu Secondary School and Khemendra Central School. Mr. Chand estimated the total damage to be around $400,000.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro indicated that an investigation into the fire is underway, confirming that there were no casualties. This incident marks the second house fire in the Northern Division this month, with the first occurring in Qelewaqa, Labasa on September 14.