Six people are homeless after their three bedroom corrugated iron and timber structured house was destroyed by fire in Mulomulo, Nadi on Sunday night.

House owner Apimeleki Vikila said the family had been away from home since Thursday.

“We went on Thursday but came back on Saturday night to check on the house, we did not sleep at home,” he said.

He said his neighbours’ called at around 10pm to inform him the tragic event from happening.

“So I came with my son to find out, on our way we met the Fire Brigade near the Police post who were also on their way to the house.

“By the time we got here the house was fully engulfed and all we could do was stand and watch.

The family is currently staying with relatives in Nawaka village.

“This house was fully furnished and was made up of more than 20 years of hard work, but I have made peace I know that God will never leave me.”

Chief Fire officer Qionilau Moceitai said the Nadi Fire Station received a fire emergency call at 21.42hrs and immediately responded to the fire call.

No one was injured. NFA investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fires.

NFA advises members of the community to take  heed of fire safety seriously.

“It is very important for property owners to be mindful of fire safety at all times as fires can easily happen when fire safety measures are not followed in the properties,” he said.

Three flats burnt in 10 minutes

A house which consisted of three flats at Cavuli Street in Simla, Lautoka was fully destroyed by fire yesterday.

House owner, Sadhna Devi said the fire engulfed the whole house and was burnt in just ten minutes.

“Ten minutes is all it took for the fire to spread to other flats and destroying everything in the house,” Devi said.

She said the fire started in the very last flat.

“The fire started from the ceiling, from my flat and started spreading to my two tenant’s flats.

“It must have started from a wire shortage at the ceiling. There were a total of ten bedrooms, separate washroom facilities and kitchen area and we have basically lost everything and still thinking how we will normalise with our lives.”

The fire started at around 12pm. It was quickly attended to by the National Fire Authority Lautoka Branch. NFA investigations are continuing.