Family home destroyed in early-morning Taveuni fire

A four-bedroom concrete-and-timber home belonging to Rittu Pal was extensively damaged in a fire in the early hours of Saturday, leaving a family counting heavy losses in Delaivuna, Taveuni.

The 44-year-old father from Qarawalu said he was at his home when the blaze broke out around 1am at the property, which belonged to his late father, Anand Pal.

Mr Pal, also known as John Pal, described the incident as “shocking and devastating”.

The house was unoccupied at the time, as the family living in it was away when the fire happened.

Emergency services, including the National Fire Authority, arrived shortly after the fire was reported, but the flames spread rapidly and could not be brought under control.

“The property sustained significant damage, with initial estimates placing the loss at around $60,000. All personal belongings and household items of the family living in it were destroyed,” Mr Pal said.

He said the cause of the fire remains unknown but suspects it may have been deliberately set.

Police later attended the scene and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and full extent of the damage.

Mr Pal’s sister, Premila Wati, said the family was grateful that no lives were lost.

“Fortunately, no one was hurt because the house was empty, but this was our father’s home and it holds deep sentimental value for all of us,” she said.