A second house in Vunivau, Labasa, was completely destroyed by fire yesterday, marking the second incident in just one month. Mohammed Irshad, the owner of the home, was in Suva for work when the fire occurred. Fortunately, his wife and two children were home but managed to escape without injury.
The 31-year-old father expressed his disbelief after receiving the alarming news from his wife. “It happened between 7am and 7:30am,” Mr. Irshad recounted. He plans to return home soon to arrange for temporary housing while he seeks funds to rebuild his house.
Irshad, a lorry driver, had lived in the three-bedroom residence for eight years and noted that he was uncertain about the overall cost of the damages, emphasizing that it took years to accumulate their household belongings.
The National Fire Authority reported that two fire trucks and nine firefighters from the Labasa Fire Station were sent to the location following an emergency call. Senior Superintendent of Police Kemueli Baledrokadroka, the Divisional Police Commander for the North, confirmed that an investigation is underway, though the cause of the fire remains undetermined.