A family in Valelevu is demanding answers following a devastating fire that destroyed two homes on Kanace Road, rendering over 20 individuals homeless. The situation has led to an outcry regarding the delayed response from the National Fire Authority (NFA), which the affected family members believe significantly contributed to their total loss.
Suvashni Lata, a resident affected by the fire, expressed frustration over their inability to reach the valelevu Fire Station in a timely manner. “We were calling them, but no one responded. When we finally got through, they told us there were no fire trucks at the station,” she stated. Tragically, by the time the fire service arrived, both homes were engulfed in flames.
The fire reportedly originated at a neighboring property owned by Sherine Lata. Swaran Lata, the homeowner, described the frantic efforts of neighbors who attempted to douse the flames with buckets of drain water. She recounted receiving a distressed call from her husband while at work, who informed her of the fire. “By the time I arrived, everything was gone. Luckily, he and our grandchild managed to escape in a taxi, but we lost everything, including the taxi,” she lamented.
Similar incidents have raised concerns about fire safety and emergency responses in the area. Recently, another home in the Northern Division was destroyed, with homeowners expressing similar frustrations regarding delays from the NFA. These tragedies illuminate the critical need for improved fire response capabilities and resources, particularly in rural communities where access can be a significant challenge.
Despite the profound losses, the resilience demonstrated by the families affected highlights the strength of community solidarity in times of crisis. As investigations proceed, there is a collective hope that these incidents will lead to meaningful changes in fire safety protocols, ensuring that tragic losses like those experienced by the Lata family can be prevented in the future.
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