30-year-old Binitesh Sharma and his 72-year-old mother, Veenat Kumari, are homeless after a fire destroys their two-bedroom home at Saru Back Road in Lautoka early Sunday morning.
The National Fire Authority says the crews arrived at 12.36am to find the corrugated iron and timber structure fully engulfed in flames adding the fire was contained at around 1.00am, with crews remaining at the scene to extinguish hotspots and ensure full suppression before returning to the station at 2.00am.
NFA says initial assessments suggest the fire may have originated from an electrical source, possibly linked to a mobile phone charging point.
Sharma immediately alerted his mother and both safely evacuate without sustaining any injuries.
NFA says the home, constructed with corrugated iron roofing, timber framing, concrete walls and louvre blades, is not insured adding the damage to the structure is estimated at 100 percent, with losses approximated at $80,000.
The NFA says a full investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Joel Israel stresses the importance of electrical safety awareness, saying electrical fires can escalate rapidly, especially at night when occupants are asleep.
He urges the public to avoid charging mobile phones or other electronic devices on flammable surfaces and to ensure wiring and chargers are in good condition.
They continue to advise members of the public to prioritise fire safety practices in their homes and to dial 910 immediately in any emergency.
