A father of two tragically lost his life while trying to assist a man in saving belongings from a fire at a home in Nadroumai Village, Nadroga, on Monday afternoon. Mesake Lalai, aged 47, reportedly collapsed while attempting to salvage items from one of the rooms in the house, which is owned by the Methodist Church and occupied by Paula Labalabala, a church steward.
Labalabala expressed deep sorrow over Lalai’s passing, highlighting his unwavering dedication to both the church and the community. “He lost his life in an act of love,” he stated. “He tried to save some belongings… he always gave his best for the church. He was the first to contribute to any church or community work.”
According to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, Lalai was transported to Sigatoka Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. She mentioned that investigations are ongoing, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the cause of his death.
In light of recent fire incidents, the Fiji Police Force is advising homeowners to take necessary precautions to identify and mitigate fire hazards in their surroundings.
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.