Eyewitnesses recount dramatic escape from Kinoya house fire

Eyewitnesses have described the dramatic moments a family of six escaped a house fire in Bauvudi Place, Velau Drive, Kinoya, in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Samuel Fred, 71, a caretaker at the Kinoya Assemblies of God Church, said he was relieved everyone got out safely before flames engulfed the home.

The house is located next to the church.

Mr Fred said he woke at about 4.30am to prepare food when he heard a siren and saw people running in different directions. Looking out of his window, he saw flames rising from a nearby house and feared the fire might spread to a neighbouring church.

Concerned, he ran to the scene through a neighbour's property because he could not access the driveway. By the time he arrived, the house was already engulfed in flames.

Mr Fred said the occupants, three adults and three children, had escaped and were sitting safely in a neighbour's yard. They included an elderly man who uses a wheelchair, his son, a mother and her three children, two boys and a girl.

"It was upsetting to see because people can lose their lives in fires like this," Mr Fred said.

"I felt blessed that they had all managed to get out safely."

Mr Fred said it was the first time he had watched a house burn before his eyes. He estimated it took between 20 and 40 minutes for the fire to destroy the building.

Another eyewitness, Kuini Adivulawalu, 29, recalled seeing family members climb out through a window as flames spread rapidly through the house, leaving them with only moments to escape.

Ms Adivulawalu said she had gone back to bed after waking before 4am when she noticed a bright glow outside. At first, she thought someone was trying to break into the house, but when she looked outside she realised a nearby home was on fire.

She immediately alerted her relatives before rushing outside. As she approached the burning house, she saw family members climbing through a window to safety.

Ms Adivulawalu said the incident left the neighbourhood in shock because many of the residents are related.

"It was so unexpected. I was frightened, but at that moment I had to stay calm and make sure everyone was safe," she said.

Attempts to obtain a comment from the National Fire Authority were unsuccessful before publication.