Two flats destroyed in Labasa fire

A Labasa landlady who lost two of her four flats early Tuesday morning says she is grateful no lives were lost.

Her son, Ivaan Khan, said the fire started around 1am in the middle flat at the back of the two-storey building.

“We live right above the middle flat. We got to know about the fire when we heard noises early that morning,” Mr Khan said.

“I came outside and saw the tenants in the garage. I asked what happened, and one of the tenants replied that the house was on fire.

“I saw the fire coming outside the window and spreading; by then other tenants rushed outside.

“Luckily no one was trapped inside the flats.

“Two flats are completely burnt, and another two partially burnt. We are yet to confirm the cost of damage.”

Mr Khan said tenants had attempted to call the National Fire Authority (NFA) on 910, but there was no response.

He then drove to the NFA station to alert officers.

“They arrived and stopped the fire. Had they arrived earlier, damage could have been lesser,” he said.

“I hope that they would do something about their emergency line.”

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wame Bautolu confirmed that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

An email sent to the NFA remained unanswered when this edition went to press.