Family of 14 escapes death in a house fire in Howell Road, Suva

A family of 14 at Akuila Bale Street in Howell Road, Suva, narrowly escaped death this morning after their home was engulfed in flames.

One of the affected family members, Elenoa Domoni described the terrifying moment when the fire broke out while she and her husband were out.

Domoni says her father, children, cousin, and niece were at home at the time of the incident.

She says her father told her that the fire started from the bottom of the house, in an area where someone usually sleeps.

She adds that her father was at their home when it happened, and their neighbours noticed the smoke and immediately alerted her family members, who were unaware of what was happening.

Domoni says upon hearing the neighbours' warning, their family fled the house, leaving everything behind and sought refuge in a nearby home while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

She expressed immense gratitude to the community for their quick response as their family are still in shock, but they are grateful to God and their neighbours for alerting her family in time.

She says that because of them, everyone is safe.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.