RESIDENTS of Senivono Rd at Narere in Nasinu stood by helplessly and watched as Umesh Bechu’s house burned with the bedridden 47-year-old still in it.
The incident happened around 8pm on Tuesday.
Neighbour Radha Ram, 60, said she had been taking care of Umesh like he was her own child with the help of neighbours who would pitch in for food and clothes.
“I looked after him for the past three years since his stroke because none of his family members would visit him.”
Ms Ram said she was still hurt from the tragedy as she thought back to the days when she would scold Umesh for his stubbornness.
“I cleaned his house, washed his clothes, fed him, everything was going good.
“Sometimes, I would get sick because he’s a big man to look after.
“But one thing I would always scold him for was his smoking. He always had a lighter with him.
“He would just smoke and flick his suki or cigarette butt on the floor.”
Ms Ram said she had visited Umesh on Tuesday morning and noticed he was holding on to his lighter.
“Some days, I would feel sorry for him and light him a candle because there was no electricity.”
That evening, while sleeping, Ms Ram heard screams coming from her neighbours.
“We wanted to save him, but we couldn’t,” Ms Ram said.
Police spokesman Wame Bautolu said the estimated cost of damage to the property has yet to be determined.
“The police and National Fire Authority are investigating the fire,” he said.
