Man perishes in Labasa house fire, investigation underway

A man has died after a house fire destroyed a two-bedroom home in Vunivau, Labasa, early Wednesday morning.

Police said the victim, believed to be in his mid-60s, was allegedly trapped inside the timber and corrugated iron house when the fire broke out around 3am.

Police spokesman Sergeant Wame Bautolu confirmed the house was completely destroyed and that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

The victim’s former wife, Kamla Saroj Wati, 67, said the fire spread rapidly while he was inside the house.

She declined to release his name, citing personal reasons.

Ms Wati said she had previously lived at the property but moved to a rental in Tuatua, Labasa, due to family issues.

Despite their separation, she described him as hardworking.

“He used to work on sugarcane farms as a labourer for many years and then began a small fishing business when I assisted him to purchase a boat from my FNPF deductions,” she said.