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

The fire reportedly began in the family’s prayer room and quickly spread to the roof. It was alert passersby who noticed the flames and informed the family. Naicker expressed frustration regarding the delayed response from the National Fire Authority (NFA), believing that a quicker arrival could have allowed for the salvage of some belongings. Despite multiple attempts to alert the NFA—through phone calls and a visit to the local fire station—help arrived too late to save the house.

This incident is notably the second house fire in the Northern Division within two weeks, with the first occurring on New Year’s Day in Waiqele, Labasa, where a family’s home was also completely lost while they were away. That fire resulted in damages estimated at around $250,000, highlighting ongoing concerns about fire safety and emergency response capabilities in these rural areas.

Superintendent Eroni Soqosoqo, the Acting Divisional Police Commander North, confirmed that investigations into both incidents are underway. These devastating events have sparked discussions about the critical need for improved fire safety measures and resources in rural communities, where limitations often hinder effective emergency responses.

As the Naicker family temporarily stays with relatives, there is a collective hope that these tragedies will inspire meaningful changes in fire safety protocols and enhance community preparedness. The resilience displayed by the affected families, accompanied by the community’s support, holds promise for preventing such devastating losses in the future. This shared commitment to improving safety standards illustrates the strength of community unity in facing adversity.