A tragic house fire in Nadi claimed the lives of three family members, including a two-year-old boy, in an incident that has left the local community mourning. The fire broke out early Monday morning, prompting an immediate investigation to uncover the cause of the blaze.
Police spokesperson Wame Bautolu confirmed that officials are working diligently to identify the victims, with DNA testing being prioritized in this process. The deceased have been identified as 25-year-old Zakiya Ali, her 29-year-old husband Zaiyad Ali, and their young son Hussein. Family members are struggling with their heartbreaking loss as they wait for authorities to handle the retrieval of the bodies.
Azhar Ali, the brother of Zakiya, recounted the distressing moments leading up to the fire. He received an emergency call from a cousin and rushed to the home in a desperate attempt to save his sister and her child. “When I came, they were still trying to get my sister and her son out,” he said. Tragically, despite the rescue efforts, they were trapped in the bathroom, unable to escape the intense flames.
There are suspicions that the fire may have originated from a nearby sugar cane farm, a theory local authorities are investigating. Azhar has called for a thorough examination of this lead, emphasizing that his brother-in-law’s family had taken measures the night before to prevent the fire from spreading.
This devastating incident highlights the pressing need for enhanced fire safety awareness within the community. Recent events in the Nadi region have shown a worrying trend, as another family lost both their home and business to a separate fire shortly before this tragedy, underscoring the urgent necessity for improved safety protocols.
As the investigation unfolds, there is a silver lining in the hope that this heartbreaking incident will spur local authorities to strengthen safety measures and public awareness. The community’s resilience and solidarity in navigating this tragedy may lead to significant changes, fostering a more prepared environment for all families to prevent such horrors in the future.