A house in Vunivau, Labasa, was completely destroyed by fire yesterday, marking the second such incident in the area within a month. Mohammed Irshad, the homeowner, was working in Suva at the time of the incident. Fortunately, his wife and two children were at home but managed to escape safely.
The 31-year-old father expressed his surprise after receiving the alarming news from his wife. “The fire started between 7 am and 7:30 am,” Mr. Irshad stated. He plans to return home soon to arrange temporary housing until he can gather enough funds for rebuilding.
Irshad, who has been a lorry driver and lived in the three-bedroom house for eight years, is uncertain about the total damage incurred but recognizes that it took years to acquire their household belongings. The National Fire Authority reported that they sent two trucks and nine firefighters from the Labasa Fire Station in response to the emergency call.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kemueli Baledrokadroka, the Divisional Police Commander for the North, confirmed that an investigation into the fire has been initiated, though the cause remains unclear.