A family in Vunivau, Labasa, tragically lost their home, valued at around $200,000 and built over 45 years, during a fire last Friday night. Prasheel Naicker, aged 27, reported that his father, grandmother, and uncle were present in the house during the incident, which occurred while he was out visiting relatives in Labasa Town.
The fire reportedly began in the family’s prayer room and quickly spread to the roof. Fortunately, two passersby noticed the flames and alerted the family, prompting Naicker to contact the National Fire Authority (NFA) for assistance. Despite his efforts—making multiple calls and even rushing to the local fire station—the NFA’s delayed response meant that nothing could be salvaged from the family home.
This incident marks the second significant house fire in the Northern Division within two weeks, the first occurring on New Year’s Day in Waiqele, Labasa, where another family’s home was completely destroyed while they were away. These recent events have raised serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of fire safety measures and emergency response capabilities in rural areas.
Acting Divisional Police Commander North, Superintendent Eroni Soqosoqo, confirmed that investigations into both fires are ongoing. The NFA is also evaluating the challenges it faced during its response to highlight the urgent need for improved fire safety protocols and resources in these communities.
In light of these tragedies, there is hope that the affected families’ resilience and support from their community can lead to necessary improvements in fire safety measures. The experiences of the Naicker family and others may catalyze meaningful changes that enhance the safety and preparedness of rural areas against such calamities in the future. Community vigilance and cooperation will be vital in preventing such heartbreaking losses moving forward.
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