It is a painful memory for a family of six from the Kiribati Settlement in Naboro as a fire on Sunday left them homeless, just before the start of the new academic year.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Elizabeth Tabore says she was with her children while her husband was preparing lunch for them, when she heard him calling out that the house was on fire.
She says they did not have time to save any of their things, including the back-to-school shopping for her daughter.
Tabore adds that they will be fundraising to rebuild their house as they are now living at her mother-in-law’s place in the same area.
National Fire Authority Chief Executive Officer, Puamau Sowane says the Command Centre received a call on Sunday, from its 910 toll-free emergency line reporting a residential fire.
Sowane says the Lami Fire Station was alerted on Sunday and responded immediately, and when they arrived at the scene by 1.14pm, the four-bedroom timber and corrugated house was on fire.
He says 17 residential fires have occurred this year, with an estimated damage of $1.26 million that has left 64 people homeless. Sowane says they are urging people to be constantly aware of their surroundings and to safely store items that can ignite a fire.
