A 47-year-old father of two, Mesake Lalai, tragically lost his life while attempting to assist a man in saving belongings from a fire in Nadroumai Village, Nadroga, on Monday afternoon.
While trying to retrieve items from one of the rooms in the burning house, which is owned by the Methodist Church and occupied by church steward Paula Labalabala, Mr. Lalai reportedly collapsed. Labalabala expressed deep sorrow over Mr. Lalai’s passing, highlighting his dedication to the church and the community. “He lost his life in an act of love,” he stated, noting Mr. Lalai’s willingness to contribute to church activities and initiatives.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that emergency services rushed Mr. Lalai to Sigatoka Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities plan to conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
The Fiji Police Force has urged homeowners and property owners to remain vigilant about fire safety, especially following a series of recent fire incidents.
Mr. Lalai is survived by his wife Unaisi and their two children. His eldest son, Mitieli Navure, is set to play rugby for the Ratu Kadavulevu School Under-14 team this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. The funeral is scheduled for next week.