Fire destroys 3-bedroom house

A FAMILY of five residing in Davies Rd, Davuilevu Housing, Nausori, lost everything after fire destroyed their three-bedroom house on Monday afternoon.

Saras Devi said her family did not expect to start the New Year homeless.

“We had gone to GMR in Nakasi around 2.30pm when I got a call from my son saying that our house was on fire,” Ms Devi said.

“I don’t know how the fire started because every time we would leave the house, I make it my job to (turn) off all electrical appliances and switches except for the fridge and that was what I did on Monday.

“After our son had relayed the news to us, we quickly got into our car and headed back to our house but we got caught in traffic and by the time we reached our house the fire truck was already here.”

The 61-year-old said she was thankful to the neighbours and the National Fire Authority (NFA) for arriving within minutes.

“We bought this land and built our house when we moved from Labasa to Suva over 20 years ago.

“We weren’t able to save anything and that’s what breaks my heart.

“Our neighbours managed to call NFA and within minutes they were here and they managed to save the two-bedroom flat at the back of our house. My son, his wife and their child live there.”

Meanwhile, Anjaleen Lata said she was thankful that her in-laws had taken her 12-year-old son with them to Nakasi.

“Before the fire happened my son and I were playing in the front around 2.30pm my in-laws decided to go to Nakasi and they took my son with them,” said the 32-year-old.

“When they left I had gone to our flat which is at the back of the main house and decided to take a bath, when I got out of the shower I heard a loud noise and began to smell smoke.

“I rushed to open the door and I could see the fire quickly making its way to our flat.

“I was just thankful that my son had gone with his grandparents.”

Ms Lata said her in-laws had gone to buy supplies to complete the construction of the house.

Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro confirmed the incident, saying investigators were waiting on the NFA report.

1. Homeowners Ravinesh Prasad and his father Ranjit Prasad at the site of the fire while a policeman looks on.

2 2. Firefighters try to ascertain the cause of the fire at Davuilevu Housing in Nausori.

Pictures: ELIKI NUKUTABU 3. An emotional Saras Devi at the site of the fire yesterday. 3