Grief deepens as fire destroys family home

Grief turned to devastation for a Nadi family when their home was destroyed by fire just hours after they buried a loved one.

A three-bedroom timber and corrugated iron house belonging to Parmit Shalendra Prasad was destroyed in a fire on Thursday afternoon at Tadra Road in Votualevu.

The family had gathered for a post-funeral ritual following the burial of Mr Prasad’s father when the fire broke out.

The remains of the family home which was destroyed in fire at Tadra Road in Votualevu, Nadi.

Photo: Katherine Naidu.

“I had just buried my father. After the ritual, everyone was resting in the shed when the fire started from one of the bedrooms at the back,” he said.

Mr Prasad said he had been lying on a sofa in the sitting room when the blaze began.

“Within five to six minutes, the whole house was completely burnt down. We tried to put it out using water from two drums, but it was of no use and we could not save anything. Everything was burnt to ashes.”

About 20 relatives were at the property at the time, with five inside the house. All escaped safely and no injuries were reported.

The home, built by family members, had sheltered nine people for 16 years, including Mr Prasad, his sick mother and late father, two elder brothers, his wife and three children.

The home was not insured, with damage estimated at $120,000.

“We all built this house together. I never thought this would happen to us.”

“My father was very sick, and we were caring for him. He passed away suddenly, and while we were mourning, our house burnt down,” he said.

Now displaced, the family is staying with neighbours as they complete funeral rites.

Relatives and friends have stepped in with groceries and clothing. Mr Prasad has shared his M-PAiSA number, 9386995, for those willing to assist.

“If someone wants to help, their support will be very much appreciated,” he said.

In a separate incident, another Nadi family also lost their home to fire this week.

A 33-year-old market vendor, Nafiz Nawaz Khan, returned from selling produce to find his corrugated iron double-wall house in Marasa completely destroyed.

Mr Khan, his wife and child had left home around 3am for the market when the fire started.

Authorities confirmed 100 per cent damage to the uninsured, solar-powered home.

The National Fire Authority and the Fiji Police Force are investigating both incidents.