An extended family has been left homeless following a catastrophic fire that engulfed their seven-bedroom residence on Suva Street in Toorak on Monday evening. The home, overseen by caretaker Maikeli Vulakeibau, 53, had been a stable dwelling for the family for the past eight years, courtesy of Wesram Finance Fiji.
Mr. Vulakeibau vividly recounted the terrifying moment he received an emergency call from his daughter at 5:50 PM informing him about the fire. Despite rushing home within half an hour, he arrived to find the flames had already obliterated the property. “I never thought something like this would happen,” he said, emphasizing how strong winds exacerbated the inferno’s spread.
Investigations revealed that the kitchen fire was triggered by a gas stove explosion, caused when Mr. Vulakeibau’s daughter inadvertently activated it while sparks from an electrical wire ignited the gas. Fortunately, she managed to escape with only minor burns to her hand and arm.
Currently, the family has been offered temporary shelter at the Marist Brothers Primary School hall, where they are attempting to find stability amid the chaos. Looking to the future, Mr. Vulakeibau remains determined to reconstruct their lives and home in Navua Village with his wife and children. This incident underscores the resilience and strength that families often display in the face of unforeseen disasters, as they work through the challenges of recovery and rebuild their lives.