Fiji Sun

My grandmothe­r can’t be replaced, says brave grandson

He jumps inside burning home to save Wati, 85, who ran back for her medication but collapsed after inhaling smoke.

- WAISEA NASOKIA Edited by Naisa Koroi Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj

Acar can be replaced, but not my grandmothe­r, says Ajesh Kumar, of Togomasi, Nadi.

Mr Kumar said this after he risked his life to save his 85-yearold grandmothe­r, Parba Wati, from their burning home.

The 33-year-old man ran in to save his grandmothe­r who had run back into the burning house to get her medication, but collapsed because of the thick smoke. The fire on Thursday completely destroyed the family’s six-bedroom home, leaving eight people of an extended family homeless.

“It is sad to lose our home, but I feel more relieved in saving my grandmothe­r because the vehicle can be replaced, but not my grandmothe­r,” he said.

“I was on my way to move my car when my wife shouted out that my grandmothe­r had run inside for her medication and fainted under the heavy smoke condition.”

His car, a Toyota Fielder which he owned for the past three years, was destroyed in the fire.

“It was so fast that we all ran outside after we were alarmed by the smoke and fire.”

His father, Ajay Kumar, 54, who is a Special Police Constable at the Nadi Police Station, was on duty when he was alerted about the incident.

“I was at work and someone called me and said that our residence meter box was on fire,” he said.

“It was our family house and we all lived there for more than a decade. It pains us to see it destroyed.” Ms Wati and six-month-old Aruhi Pravishna were admitted at the Nadi Hospital because of inhaling smoke. They were discharged early this week.

Mr Kumar said the estimated loss is about $200,000.

It is sad to lose our home, but I feel more relieved in saving my grandmothe­r because the vehicle can be replaced, but not my grandmothe­r. Ajesh Kumar Bookshop salesman

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 ?? Photo: Waisea Nasokia Photo: Waisea Nasokia ?? INSET: Survivors (from left) Parba Wati, 85, Ajesh Kumar, 33, and 6-month-old Aruhi Pravishna on July 5, 2017. Ajesh Kumar (left), 33, with his father Ajay Kumar, 54, next to the remains of their home and car in Togomasi in Nadi.
Photo: Waisea Nasokia Photo: Waisea Nasokia INSET: Survivors (from left) Parba Wati, 85, Ajesh Kumar, 33, and 6-month-old Aruhi Pravishna on July 5, 2017. Ajesh Kumar (left), 33, with his father Ajay Kumar, 54, next to the remains of their home and car in Togomasi in Nadi.

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