A 30-year-old man expressed the somber reality that this Christmas would be gloomy for his family of seven after a devastating fire destroyed their six-bedroom home in Vunisamaloa, Ba.

The family was left homeless after the event on December 14; they have since secured temporary shelter in Vatiyaka, where they are currently staying with a relative.

National Fire Authority (NFA)’s media liaison officer, Epineri Vula, confirmed the incident, with investigations underway.

NFA’s fire statistics for residential homes from January to November 30, 2023, is 146 compared to 109 for the same period last year.

However, NFA has responded to 12 residential fires this month alone.

The occupants included Ashwin Gosai’s parents, his wife and child, and his brother’s wife and two children. Mr Gosai claimed the fire started around 11:15am while his brother’s wife was cooking, and his mother was folding clothes in one of the rooms.

The flames was claimed to have originated in a small room near the living room area, resulting in the destruction of their home, which they had called home for two decades.

“Everything was destroyed,” Mr Gosai said.

“We have been living here for 20 years, and now our Christmas plans will be on hold.”

Plea 

“We have no idea how the fire started, but it was windy on that day, and our house is in a hilly area,” he said.

He also said the timing of the tragedy compounded their hardship as they had just renovated and painted the house for his sister’s wedding.

The fire consumed all the wedding preparations, including new furniture. Mr Gosai is now appealing for financial assistance to help rebuild their lives.

Members of the public willing to assist Mr Gosai’s family can contact him directly at 9596916 or make donations through the following channels: MPAiSA: 9229960 and Bank of Baroda: Account number – 91030100010548

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