14 homeless after Thursday fire
‘Our neighbours saw the fire and immediately told the families to come out.’
Afamily of 14 from Vuqele Village in Vatukoula is now homeless after their home was destroyed in an early morning blaze on Thursday.
The home, which consists of two flats, catered for nine people in the first 13 bedroom flat, while the second five-bedroom flat catered for five people.
Pundit Shelvin Vishal Sharma, 26, said his family was at home at the time of the fire and was only notified by neighbours when they saw smoke coming out of the home at about 7.45am.
“My family was inside the house, they were still sleeping at the time of the fire because it was still cold,” he said.
“Our neighbours saw the fire and immediately told the families to come out. They were only able to save themselves.”
He said surviving the pandemic was one thing, but losing your home was an added burden for the family. Pundit Sharma said his family were now sheltering at an uncle’s home nearby and were receiving assistance with food from neighbours.
National Fire Authority chief executive officer Puamau Sowane said investigations were completed and the probable cause of the fire was electrical-related.
“We should never be complacent with fire safety. We can prevent fires from destroying our homes and properties and even lives, if we take extra precautionary measures to ensure fire safety,” said Mr Sowane.