More people are homeless after two separate fires destroyed two homes yesterday.

In Nadi, nine people are now homeless after a $50,000 house was razed to the ground in a fire at Qeleloa.

In Vuci Road, Nausori, a fire which started at around 9pm destroyed the two-flat home understood to have been newly-constructed.

National Fire Authority firefighters worked tirelessly in Nausori to prevent it from spreading to a nearby home.

It is understood that the homeowners had just moved in from Labasa.

Nadi fire

Daya Kumaran,  55, a businessman and house owner, said he was helpless when he and his wife, 48-year-old, Ragni Kumaran and their three year old granddaughter watched the flames engulf their fully furnished three-bedroom house.

The other part of the house which contained a flat occupied by his sister and her family was also razed.

“The fire started in one of our bedrooms while I was painting the house,” a distraught Mr Kumaran said.

“It was then when I saw flames coming from one of the bedrooms,” he said.

“By then we couldn’t do much, I picked up my granddaughter and ran out of the house, my wife also ran out.

“We tried to put out the fire but it was too late, I stood helplessly and watched my hard work destroyed in the flames.

“There are six people living in the flat and three in my home, we all stood helplessly as flames engulfed our homes.”

He added that they had resided in the area for more than 20 years.

“This is the house where I had brought up my two children; my daughter stays with me while my son now resides in New Zealand,” he said.

“This is a big loss to my family, years of hard work trying to build a home for my family has turned to ashes.”

Police have confirmed that the house had three bed rooms and the flat had five bedrooms.

No one was injured in both fires. Police are continuing their investigation.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

Feedback:  arieta.vakasukawaqa@fijisun.com.fj