Signwriter Ritesh Kumar kissed her daughter goodbye yesterday unaware that it would be the last time he would see her alive.

Hours later, he watched helplessly as his wife and daughter burned to death in their flat at Solovi, Master Ram Karan Rd, Nadi. Mr Kumar’s mother, Deo Mati, said she saw her daughter-in-law take her granddaughter into the flat and lock the door. A fire started after that, she said.

Grief-stricken father, Ritesh Kumar

Mr Kumar, 33, who was on a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO), had met his wife, Moreen Devi and daughter Ashnita Kumar at Nadi Court earlier in the day. The couple had been having relationship problems.

From Nadi Court, they went their separate ways. He went to Korovuto. She and Ashnita headed home.

Mr Kumar rushed to the scene after he was informed of the fire. But he could not do anything because of the intense heat.

“What was my daughter’s fault, why did she have to die?” Mr Kumar asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

Mr Kumar’s mother, Deo Mati, who lives next to their flat, recalled she heard Ashnita make some hiccup sounds minutes after Moreen locked the door, followed by seeing     the fire.

“I rushed out of my house and called her Mita, Mita and when I could not get any response as usually she would, I went and called the neighbours to help,” Ms Mati said.

But on her way back with the neighbours she saw the flat on fire and was spreading towards Ms Mati’s house which was only separated by a wall.

Fire officers at the burnt house in Solovi.

Families and residents of Solovi in Nadi yesterday were shocked by the incident.

Ms Mati said Moreen had returned from town with her daughter at around 11:30am yesterday.

“They both watched movie but after 3:00 pm when my other son’s daughter came home, Moreen suddenly locked the door of her house and took Ashnita with her,” Ms Mati said.

Two other children were in the house of Ms Mati when the fire started, however, they managed to escape without any injuries.

National Fire Authority officers managed to stop the fire from spreading.

Two fire trucks from Nadi Fire Station and one from Lautoka tried to fight the blaze.

Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro said they were investigating.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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