A family in Toorak is facing homelessness after a devastating fire completely destroyed their seven-bedroom house on Suva Street on Monday evening. Maikeli Vulakeibau, 53, who has been a caretaker for the property, expressed his shock at the incident, stating, “I never thought something like this would happen.”
Mr. Vulakeibau was at work when he received a call from his daughter at 5:50 PM, alerting him to the blaze. “I rushed home in half an hour, but by then the house was nearly burned down,” he recalled, noting that strong winds contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. The fire reportedly ignited in the kitchen after a gas stove exploded, triggered by his daughter accidentally turning it on when electrical sparks from a wire ignited the gas.
Fortunately, the daughter sustained only minor burns on her hand and arm. Following the fire, the family has been provided with temporary shelter at the Marist Brothers Primary School hall. Despite the loss, Mr. Vulakeibau remains hopeful and is already planning for the future, expressing his intention to rebuild their home in Navua Village along with his wife and children. The community’s response during this challenging time reflects the resilience and support present in times of crisis.
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