A second house in Vunivau, Labasa, was completely destroyed by fire yesterday, marking the second incident of this nature in just one month.
The homeowner, Mohammed Irshad, was away for work in Suva when the fire occurred. Fortunately, his wife and two children were at home but escaped without injuries. The 31-year-old father expressed his disbelief upon receiving the alarming news from his wife.
“It happened between 7 am and 7:30 am,” Mr. Irshad stated. “I’ll be returning home soon to make arrangements for temporary accommodation until we can secure funds to rebuild.”
Irshad, a lorry driver, had resided in the three-bedroom home for eight years. He is currently unsure about the total damage costs, emphasizing the years it took to accumulate household items.
The National Fire Authority responded quickly, dispatching two fire trucks and nine officers from the Labasa Fire Station following the emergency call. Additionally, Divisional Police Commander North, Senior Superintendent of Police Kemueli Baledrokadroka, confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, although the source remains unknown.