A father of two tragically passed away while attempting to assist a man in salvaging belongings from his burning house in Nadroumai Village, Nadroga, on Monday afternoon. Mesake Lalai, 47, reportedly collapsed inside the home while trying to retrieve items from one of the rooms.
The residence, which is owned by the Methodist Church, is currently occupied by Paula Labalabala, a steward for the church. Labalabala spoke fondly of Lalai, expressing that his devotion to both the church and the community was immeasurable. “He lost his life in an act of love,” he remarked. “He always gave his best for the church and was often the first to contribute to community efforts.”
According to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, Lalai was promptly taken to Sigatoka Hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival. “Investigations are ongoing, and a post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” she noted. Naisoro also highlighted a rise in fire incidents recently and urged homeowners to take precautionary measures by inspecting potential fire hazards in and around their properties.
Lalai leaves behind his wife, Unaisi, and their two children. His eldest son, Mitieli Navure, is a rugby player for the Ratu Kadavulevu School Under 14 team, which is set to compete this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. The funeral services for Lalai are scheduled for next week.