A father of two tragically lost his life while trying to assist a man in salvaging belongings from a fire-ravaged house in Nadroumai Village, Nadroga, on Monday afternoon. Mesake Lalai, 47, reportedly collapsed inside the home while attempting to retrieve items from one of the rooms.
The residence, which belongs to the Methodist Church, is occupied by Paula Labalabala, a steward of the church. Labalabala expressed deep sorrow over Lalai’s passing, stating that his dedication to both the church and the community was remarkable. “He lost his life in an act of love,” Labalabala remarked. “He always gave his best for the church and was always the first to contribute to community efforts.”
According to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, Lalai was transported to Sigatoka Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the cause of death. Naisoro noted that there has been an increase in fire-related incidents recently and urged homeowners to be cautious and check for potential fire hazards around their properties.
Lalai is survived by his wife, Unaisi, and their two children. His eldest son, Mitieli Navure, is set to play rugby for the Ratu Kadavulevu School Under 14 team this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Lalai’s funeral is scheduled for next week.