Double fire tragedy in a night has left a family of three homeless and a hardware and rice mill building burned to ground.

Navua and Pacific Harbour firemen had to battle with two separate property fire incidents within hours at Vuninokonoko Road and Rampur road in Navua on the night of, December 14, 2021.

The first fire report was received at around 7.10pm, where a mini hardware store, Navindra Investment and closed rice mill housed in Navua Farmers Cooperative building was on fire.

The second fire report was received at around 8.15pm, where a five bedroom house was on fire at Rampur Road at Nakaulevu in Navua.

No one was injured in both fire incidents.

The fire at Navindra Investment Mini Hardware building in Navua Town. Photo: Ronald Kumar.

Mini Hardware And Rice Mill Building Fire:

Navindra investment Mini Hardware owner, Navin Sharma, said he could not believe when he was told of the fire just after 7, by the neighbors.

” I closed the hardware around 4.30pm and went home, it was soon after 7, when I was told of the fire in my shop”, said Mr. Sharma.

He further added that it was just last week he brought in new stock of timber and hardware materials worth over ten thousand dollars.

Both the hardware and old rice mill did not had electricity power supply.

Navua Farmers cooperative building Chairman, Shiu Mani said, the building was old and build in 1938, however there was no electricity power supply and no one was in the building at the time of fire.

There is no electricity supply and no one was in the building at the time of fire, so how could the fire start”, questioned Mr. Mani.

The damage to the hardware store is estimated to be over fifteen thousand dollars while the damage to the building is yet to be determined.

The fire at the five bedroom home belonging to fifty two year-old Rup Narayan Singh of Rampur Road, Navua. Photo: Ronald Kumar.

Rampur Road House Fire:

Fifty two year-old Rup Narayan Singh of Rampur Road, Navua was visiting his daughter’s place when he was called that his five bedroom house was on fire by neighbors at around 8.15pm.

“I was at my daughter’s place, and when I reached back home, everything was gone up in flames”, said Mr. Singh.

The family of three could not save any of their belongings and are sheltering at their daughter’s home currently.

Rup Narayan Singh of Rampur Road. Photo: Ronald Kumar.

Mr. Singh a former truck driver said, it took him 20 years to build his home but every thing perished just in couple hours.

“I recently build a new carport and porch area adjacent to the house but all that is now gone”, said Mr.Singh.

Mr. Singh, who was planning a family Christmas next week is now requesting general public for any form of assistance, so he could rebuild a shelter for his wife and sister.

Witness Account

Rampur Store owner, Ugesh Prasad said, he saw the smoke coming out from his neighbour, Mr. Singh residence at around 8.15pm and called the National fire Authority and Police.

Navua Police and National fire Authority officers are investigating the course of both the fire incidents.

Feedback: ronaldk@fijisun.com.fj