A devastating fire that claimed the lives of landlady Shobna Sharma and her recently adopted son has also left businesses operating from the property facing losses estimated at close to $1 million.
The blaze at Laucala Beach Estate destroyed the commercial building where Ms Sharma, 48, lived in an upstairs wooden structure above four businesses.
For tenants, the tragedy was not only a loss of property and income but also the loss of a place where they had built their livelihoods.
Zion Investment owner Raynal Singh, 33, said the fire had left him, his workers and other tenants devastated.
“Unfortunately, we have lost everything because of the fire that happened on Saturday,” he said.
“It has really affected us and basically all the workers who were working in that particular building.”
Mr Singh said the tragedy was made even more heartbreaking by the loss of Ms Sharma and her young adopted son, who had only recently started living at the property.
He described Ms Sharma as a deeply religious and private person who was committed to her faith.
The fire also destroyed dozens of vehicles, including customers’ cars and commercial vehicles parked within the compound, adding to the financial impact on affected businesses.
Mr Singh said the cause of the blaze remained unknown.
Both police and the fire department have not responded to queries related to the status of investigations.
