A father cried uncontrollably and an entire family in Navua in a state of shock after losing a loved one in a house fire yesterday morning.

Overcome with emotion, Mohammed Ifraz embraced his father, Mohammed Mubarak, saying: “Iliyaz chal dis, abba (Iliyaz is gone, father)”.

Mr Ifraz, lost his son Mohammed Iliyaz, 13, in an early morning fire at Tokotoko Back Road, Navua. Two of his other sons, Mohammed Alfaaz, 14, is admitted in the Intensive Care Unit at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and Mohammed Faraz, 8, is also admitted with minor burns to his hands.

A lean-to four-bedroom house made of corrugated iron and timber was destroyed in the fire, which started around 3.30am as the family was asleep.

The owner of the house raised the alarm when the intense heat and smoke woke him up.

Saddened by their loss, Uncle, Istafaqu Hussain (Manju) who spoke on behalf of the family said the victim’s parents were in shock and unable to talk to anybody as families and friends gathered to provide some condolence and support.

Mr Hussain said the boy was the father’s pet and was crying uncontrollably.

“When I arrived at around 3.33am at their residence, everyone was outside the house as it went up in flames within seconds,” Mr Hussain said.

“We took the two boys to hospital but no one could save Iliyaz because he was trapped inside.

“They have lost everything but worst of all the family has lost a son which can never be returned. We feel so unfortunate to encounter such tragedy and we pray no one else goes through this. It is heartbreaking to witness the event.”

Mr Mubarak said they could not believe what happened and were trying to come to terms with the loss of a jovial, happy-going and hardworking son.

“We are praying for strength and we also pray for the other two’s life.”

National Fire Authority and the Fiji Police Force forensic team were at the scene when the Fiji Sun team arrived.

They were taking the body of the victim to the hospital.

A fire team from the Pacific Harbour Fire Station was also deployed to assist. NFA is trying to establish the cause of fire.

The family awaits a postmortem result before making funeral arrangements.

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