A community in Baulevu is in deep shock and grief after a family of five tragically lost their lives in a devastating house fire early this morning.
What began as a quiet night turned into an unimaginable tragedy, as Shivneel Shivam Chand, his wife Priya Lal, their three-year-old daughter Akruti, and Chand’s 56-year-old parents Satish Chand and Anita Devi were all inside the home when the fire broke out at about 12.30am.
Neighbour Aheesh Chandra told fijivillage News that Shivneel had managed to escape, but the other family members were unfortunately trapped inside the house.
He says Shivneel later passed away around 1pm due to the burns he sustained.
Chandra says they were woken up by the sound of windows breaking and discovered the house was on fire.
He also noted that there was no electricity at the time.
He says they tried to enter the house, but the fire was too intense.
INSERT: Chandra on family 23 apr
HINDI INSERT: Hindi Chandra on family 23 apr
He says the family is survived by Shivneel’s younger brother and sister.
Chandra says the community will now band together with the surviving family members to prepare for the final rites.
Police say the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained as joint investigations are underway with the Police and the National Fire Authority.
