14 January, 2026, 9:04 am Central - 25°C Clouds

Woman struggling to provide for sickly husband after Suva Flea Market fire

Woman struggling to provide for sickly husband after Suva Flea Market fire

By Shanil Singh
17/06/2020
60-year-old Bhan Mati with the remains of the burnt down Suva Flea Market. [image: Suva Flea Market Survivors/Facebook]

A 60-year-old woman from Khalsa Road is struggling to provide for her family after the fire at the Suva Flea Market destroyed her stall which was her only source of income.

Bhan Mati says she was the sole breadwinner for her family and has to look after her sickly husband who cannot work due to health issues.

Mati says she was at home when she was told about the fire and burst into tears because that was all she had to survive.

She says it is becoming very difficult to buy groceries and medication for her husband who is a heart patient.

She says she is grateful that some relatives have provided them with some assistance but adds it is not sufficient.

The fire destroyed her three sewing machines and all her stock which was worth more than $12,000.

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