A family of seven has lost their home following a severe fire that completely destroyed their two-storey, seven-bedroom residence, along with their retail shop and Kava Bar, in Malawai, Nadi, yesterday morning.
The property, owned by Abdul Munaf, had served as a family business for over 35 years. Abdul’s son, Nazil Nabeel, shared that the shop was closed the previous 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 the Kava Bar were all located downstairs, while our family home with five bedrooms was upstairs,” Mr. Munaf explained.
He lamented the loss, saying, “There is nothing we could save except for the clothes we were wearing. Right now, we are homeless and unsure of where to go. My parents are staying at a friend’s house.”
He described the event as a heartbreaking experience, saying, “We were in tears seeing everything we worked so hard for reduced to ashes.”
The estimated damage from the fire is reported to exceed $100,000. The National Fire Authority has confirmed that its officers responded to the scene and are investigating the incident, with police also conducting an investigation.