A father of two tragically lost his life while attempting to assist a man in salvaging items from a burning house in Nadroumai Village, Nadroga, on Monday afternoon. Mesake Lalai, 47, collapsed inside the home while trying to recover belongings.
The house, owned by the Methodist Church, is occupied by Paula Labalabala, a steward of the church. Labalabala expressed that Mr. Lalai’s dedication to the church and the community was profound. “He lost his life in an act of love,” he remarked, highlighting how Mr. Lalai consistently offered his best efforts for the church and would readily contribute to church activities and community projects.
According to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, Lalai was quickly transported to the Sigatoka Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. “Investigations are ongoing, and a post-mortem examination will be carried out to determine the cause of death,” she stated. She also noted that several fire incidents have been reported recently, urging property owners to be vigilant about fire hazards in their homes.
Mr. Lalai is survived by his wife, Unaisi, and their two children. His eldest son, Mitieli Navure, plays rugby for the Ratu Kadavulevu School Under 14 team, which is set to compete this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. The funeral is scheduled for next week.