In the early hours of New Year’s Day 2025, a four-bedroom house in Waiqele, Labasa, was severely damaged by fire, marking the first incident of the year in the Northern Division. The homeowners, Shalenee Devi and Nileshwar Prasad, were on holiday in New Zealand with their family when they were informed of the tragic event by a relative.
Ms. Devi explained that their caretaker was away for the holiday when the fire erupted around 3 AM. “We are deeply grateful to our neighbour, who immediately contacted the National Fire Authority (NFA),” she said. Firefighters faced significant challenges due to limited resources, with only one water tank and a damaged hose on hand. Despite these difficulties, Mr. Prasad praised their effort, acknowledging that they did their best.
The fire resulted in catastrophic damage, destroying two cars and partially affecting two vans. The couple suspects arson due to prior incidents involving threats and vandalism at their nearby shop. This history leaves them hopeful for a swift response from authorities. “We have lodged a police complaint and trust the authorities will uncover the truth and prevent such tragedies from affecting others,” Ms. Devi added.
The NFA’s chief executive officer, Puamau Sowane, expressed condolences to the family, noting that the area’s lack of fire hydrants and accessible water sources made combating the fire particularly difficult. He emphasized the importance of extra caution for residents who live further from fire stations.
Acting Divisional Police Commander North, Superintendent Eroni Soqosoqo, confirmed that an investigation is underway and they are awaiting the NFA’s report to determine the next steps.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the need for enhanced safety measures in residential areas, particularly those distant from emergency services. There is hope that this situation will lead to increased awareness and improvements in fire safety protocols to protect residents in the future.
Leave a comment