The Northern Division experienced its first fire incident of 2025 on New Year’s Day, when a four-bedroom house in Waiqele, Labasa, was completely consumed by flames. The homeowners, Shalenee Devi and Nileshwar Prasad, were in New Zealand celebrating the holidays with family when they received the unfortunate news from a relative.
According to Ms. Devi, their caretaker was out for the New Year holiday at the time the fire broke out around 3 a.m. She expressed her gratitude towards their neighbor who promptly alerted the National Fire Authority (NFA) about the situation. Firefighters faced challenges due to limited resources but worked diligently to contain the fire. Mr. Prasad acknowledged that the firefighters managed to use their single water tank, even though they had a damaged hose.
The fire caused significant damage, destroying two vehicles and partially affecting two vans, with total property damages estimated at around $250,000. The couple is suspicious that arson may be involved, pointing to past incidents such as threats and vandalism at their nearby shop close to the Waiqele Airport. Ms. Devi expressed a sense of hope that authorities will take swift action to seek justice for the unfortunate event.
They have already lodged a police report and are optimistic that the investigation will reveal the truth and prevent future incidents of this nature.
Puamau Sowane, the NFA’s Chief Executive Officer, extended his sympathies to the family and noted the area is lacking in fire hydrants and other water resources, which complicates firefighting efforts. He emphasized the importance of residents in outlying areas being especially vigilant, given the distance from fire stations.
Acting Divisional Police Commander North, Superintendent Eroni Soqosoqo, confirmed that an investigation is underway, pending a report from the NFA to dictate the next steps.
This incident highlights the critical need for increased fire safety measures and better resources in rural areas to ensure residents can protect themselves effectively. It is encouraging to see the community’s resilience in the face of adversity, and the hope that justice will be served provides a strong message of solidarity and support among neighbors.
In summary, while devastating, this situation could lead to increased awareness and possibly improvements in community safety standards.
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