Landlord Suspects Arson, NFA Probes Claim
Mr Ali said the thought of seeing the tenant’s household items placed in a nearby bush while the fire happened also seemed suspicious.
Friday 29 October 2021 | 15:46
The home destroyed by fire includes three flats belonging to Rihaz Ali at Sabeto, Nadi on October 26, 2021. Photo: Nicolette Chambers
The National Fire Authority (NFA) will continue its investigations into the fire that destroyed three flats in Sabeto, Nadi, on Tuesday.
Landlord Rihaz Ali told the Fiji Sun how it seemed unusual that the fire occurred on the same day as the court case in the Small Claims Tribunal he was to attend.
He suspects that it was a case of arson.
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Mr Ali said the court case was concerning a tenant, who resided in one of the three flats with their family of seven and had not been paying their monthly rent of $400 for about five months.
He claimed the fire occurred at 2am while his family were asleep.
“We were all sleeping at the time of the fire which started from outside, at the back of the house,” he said.
“I woke up from the smell of the smoke, immediately I went to my wife and son to wake them up. I only managed to grab one pair of my clothes I was supposed to wear on that same day to the courthouse.
“We immediately got into our car and moved the car away from the house.”
One flat remains empty while the other was occupied by a family of three.
Mr Ali said the thought of seeing the tenant’s household items placed in a nearby bush while the fire happened also seemed suspicious.
“We couldn’t save everything, but they managed to save a lot of things,” he said.
They are residing with a family member in the same area.
NFA chief executive officer, Puamau Sowane said investigations were underway.
“It is a very sad experience to see people lose their belongings, properties, farms and livestock, especially during this challenging time currently faced by Fijians because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Feedback: nicolette.chambers@fijisun.com.fj
