Chand said his wife had left for holiday in Suva to visit their two daughters when the incident happpened

Prem Chand of Coqeloa outside Labasa Town was emotional when he received a $3000 cheque from the Sugar Cane Growers’ Fund (SCGF) on Friday.

The 49-year-old sugarcane farmer had lost his three bedroom house and belongings in a fire last week Thursday when he was away at his brother’s house.

Mr Chand said his wife had left for  a holiday in Suva to visit their two daughters.

“I had gone to my brother’s house which was like a few metres walk from my house at around 4:30pm,” Mr Chand said.

“At around 6:30pm I found my house razed to the ground in the fire.

“I have been living in this house since 1998 while working on my 12 acre sugarcane farm.”

His wife, Sakuntla Chand, 49, said their children helped them gather things for their home as her husband suffers from psoriasis (skin disease).

“Now we have to start all over again and I don’t know how we are going to do that as we are yet to finish harvesting cane,” Mrs Chand said.

“We are very thankful to SCGF and the sugar industry for their assistance.”

Fiji Sugar Cane Growers Fund acting chief executive officer Vimal Dutt said the Chands were the first family in the North to receive the insurance of $3000 under loss, damage or destruction to their house as a result of fire.

“We have noted that growers are very happy with this new initiative and Mr Chand is one of those beneficiaries,” Mr Dutt said.

“It is not easy for farmers like Mr Chand to start all over again but  but re-start we have provided insurance.

“We hope other charitable organisations can come forward to assist them.”

If there is anyone willing to help this family they can be contacted  on mobile number 8630179.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa