Police and NFA probe Nadi fire
“ While waiting for the fire authority, our neighbours used their hosepipe and a bucket of water to try to put out the fire.
Monday 21 July 2025 | 00:38
Kelera Bosevakaturaga pointing to the front flat that was destroyed by fire. Photo: Mereleki Nai
Kelera Bosevakaturaga panicked as she saw the room next to her bedroom engulfed in fire.
It was her first experience of encountering such an incident, and the only thing that came to her mind was the life of her two-month-old baby.
Ms Bosevakaturaga, with her family, lives next door to the three-bedroom concrete house (first flat) that was destroyed by fire at Savunawai Housing, Votualevu in Nadi last Saturday.
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The tenant of the first flat was not at home with her children when the incident happened.
Police spokesperson, Wame Bautolu confirmed her house was completely destroyed.
The “1 x concrete bedroom flat belonging to a 39-year-old Teaching Assistant was completely destroyed by fire. No one was injured,” he said. Ms Bosevakaturaga said she felt sad for their next-door neighbour because they had lost all their belongings.
She said on Friday night, she saw the eldest sibling with his group of friends in the house and around early morning on Saturday, she saw them go out of the compound. She said that a few minutes later, she saw a young man come to the house with a spade.
“I was breastfeeding the baby in the room when I saw black smoke outside our window. I asked my aunt if she could go and check where that black smoke was coming from. She told me that someone might have burned the rubbish nearby.
“After a few minutes, I saw black smoke coming inside our bedroom, and then I asked her again to check. She then went and saw that it was coming from the front flat. I then went outside with my baby and saw that our neighbour’s living room was on fire.
“I started calling them, but there were no answers. I told my aunt to take the baby and go to the neighbour while I called out for help.
She said the surrounding neighbours helped carry all their stuff out.
“ While waiting for the fire authority, our neighbours used their hosepipe and a bucket of water to try to put out the fire.
“But I am thankful that before the fire spreads to our flat, the fire authority arrives.”
“It was the first time for me to experience such an incident, and I panicked because everything happened so fast. I felt sad for this family because they lost everything in that fire, she added.
The National Fire Authority NFA CEO, Puamau Sowane said after they received the call, his officers immediately responded and upon arrival the brigade noticed the house was fully engulfed in flames.
He said the brigade managed to extinguish the fire.
He said the facts they received that the property belongs to Mr Krishneel Ram.
“The estimated damage to the structure is approximately 90%, and the estimated damage cost is approximately $80, 000. The property is not insured. No injuries were confirmed, and no other details were gathered from the scene.”
Mr Sowane said the fire investigation will be carried out to determine the suspected cause of fire.
“We continue to urge people to be very careful with their homes and surroundings in terms of fire safety. Do not allow unwanted fires to destroy their dreams and hard-earned savings from regard hard works.”
Police spokesperson, Mr Bautolu said they also conducting their investigations.
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