Sanjay Nand is feeling fortunate after his family narrowly escaped a fire that engulfed the rental house they lived in on Tiri Road in Nadawa, Nasinu, yesterday. Mr. Nand reported that the fire originated in the middle room of the house, but fortunately, his wife, mother-in-law, and niece managed to escape with only minor burns. His wife was the only family member requiring hospitalization.
Mr. Nand was at work when he received the alarming news about the fire. Upon arriving at the scene, he found the house still burning while his family stood outside. He noted that he rents the three-bedroom home for $1000 but is currently unaware of the extent of the damage caused by the blaze.
He expressed gratitude towards the firefighters who were able to bring the flames under control, preventing them from spreading to nearby homes. Mr. Nand mentioned that when his wife entered the bedroom, she discovered that the mattress was already on fire, although the cause of the fire remains unknown. The flames eventually reached the roof of the house.
The family usually engages in daily prayers at home, utilizing a diya, or lamp, which is traditionally lit during rituals. Mr. Nand stated that it is unclear whether this diya contributed to the fire, as it would have fallen onto its tray had it been the cause.
The National Fire Authority (NFA) confirmed that they responded to a fire call from the location and successfully contained the blaze. Investigations are ongoing to establish the initial cause of the fire. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro also confirmed the incident, noting that two women and a child evacuated safely. She added that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, pending a report from the NFA.