A 47-year-old father of two tragically lost his life while attempting to assist a man in salvaging belongings from a burning home in Nadroumai Village, Nadroga, on Monday afternoon. Mesake Lalai reportedly collapsed inside the house while trying to retrieve items from one of the rooms.
The residence belongs to the Methodist Church and is currently occupied by Paula Labalabala, a steward of the church. Labalabala expressed deep admiration for Mr. Lalai’s dedication, stating that his commitment to the church and community was profound. “He lost his life in an act of love,” he remarked, noting Lalai’s selflessness in always striving to support the church’s efforts and the community.
According to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, Lalai was quickly taken to Sigatoka Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Investigations are ongoing, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Naisoro also urged homeowners and property owners to implement precautionary measures to prevent fire hazards, as several fire incidents have been reported recently.
Mr. 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. The funeral is scheduled for next week.