'My Dad, My Hero'
“I only wished he had survived so I can thank him for being our hero, saving his grandson.”
Monday 24 October 2022 | 08:47
(Second from right) Shamal Narayan, 37, with wife, Sonam Lata, 27, and three children (from left) Shreya Lata, 7, Shaniya lata, 7, Shymal Narayan, 4 and Shynal Narayan, 12 at the remains of their burnt home which also claimed the life of family member, Ram Narayan 74, at Qaraniqoli Settlement in Dreketi last Friday. Inset: The late Ram Narayan.
A 74-year-old man, who died in a house fire on Friday after saving his four-year-old grandson, has been labelled a hero.
Ram Narayan of Qaraniqoli Settlement in Dreketi had just rescued his grandson from the burning house and ran towards the inferno again to try and salvage some belongings but got trapped instead.
The late Mr Ram's son, Shamal Narayan, said: "My father will not return to our lives a gain, but his sacrifice will always be remembered."
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“I only wished he had survived so I can thank him for being our hero, saving his grandson.”
At the time of the incident, Mr Ram, the daughter-in-law, two relatives, and his four-year-old grandson were at home. Mr Shamal was at work while his three other children were attending school.
“The smell of something burning caught the attention of my wife and two other relatives, and they fled,” Mr Shamal said.
“My father took my four-year-old son first to safety and then ran towards the burning house to try and retrieve some belongings but got trapped.
“The house fire is secondary to the loss of my father and this is the toughest phase of our lives, which we, as a family, have to overcome.”
Mr Shamal is employed as a sales assistant at M Aziz & Sons Limited and is the sole breadwinner of the family.
Mr Shamal can be contacted on 9435463, should anyone wish to help the family.
The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Waterways, Mahendra Reddy, has also stepped in to assist the family.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the fire started from one of the four bedrooms. She also said attempts were made to rescue Mr Ram but were unsuccessful.
Further investigations are ongoing, with Police waiting on a fire report from the National Fire Authority to determine the cause.
Story by: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj
