Neighbours were jolted out of their sleep as a fire broke out in one of the flats at the Housing Assistance and Relief Trust [HART] in Nadera around 11:45pm on Saturday.

A tenant of the flat declined to comment on the horrific incident, but gave assurance that no one in her family was hurt during the incident.

Sanjetta Raj, who is a staff at the HART and also a neighbour to the fire victims, said she woken up by the cry of help from her neighbour.

“The mother was screaming out my name and that was unusual for me, especially at that time of the night, it was then that I realised that something was wrong,” Ms Raj said.

“It happened so fast and people were in shock and so I made sure that everyone was taken out of their flats since the fire started spreading into the next flat.”

Ms Raj was relieved at the quick response from the National Fire Authority.

Sanjetta Raj. Photo: Ilaijia Ravuwai

NFA personnel were able to contain the fire.

She also thanked the other neighbours who quickly evacuated families, especially the children, to safety.

NFA were not ready to comment when contacted yesterday, but assured that an official press statement would be made and released today.

The affected families have been moved to the Nadera HART Hall.

A decision on their next home will be made after assessments from the HART Headquarters are done.

Edited by Percy Kean

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