An elderly couple, Gyan Wati, 63, and Uday Chand, 62, tragically perished in a house fire on Valemasima Road in Votualevu, Nadi, in the early hours of yesterday morning. Their son, Uden Chand, recounted the distressing details of the incident, stating that the fire rapidly spread, making it impossible for him to rescue his parents.
Uden was awakened around midnight by his wife, who alerted him to smoke filling their home. He managed to escape with his son and wife through a back door, but when he attempted to return to help his parents, the flames had already consumed their entire house. The heart-wrenching memory of his father’s cries for help, as he sought to unlock the door for his ailing mother, left Uden feeling utterly powerless.
The fire completely destroyed their four-bedroom residence, leaving Uden and his family with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In the aftermath of this devastating loss, they are receiving support from a neighbor as they begin to recover from this tragedy.
Puamau Sowane, the CEO of the National Fire Authority, expressed profound sorrow over the incident, stating it should act as a crucial reminder for communities to prioritize fire safety. Investigative efforts by both the police and the National Fire Authority are underway to ascertain the cause of the fire.
This unfortunate event serves to underscore the vital importance of fire safety awareness and preparedness within homes, as every moment can be critical in emergency situations. The community’s support in the face of such calamity highlights the strength in togetherness during difficult times.