A family of five perished in a devastating house fire at Baulevu Rd., Nausori, early yesterday morning.
The victims have been identified as Satish Chand, 56, his wife Anita Devi, their son Shivneel Shivam, 32, his wife Priya Chand, 24, and the couple’s three-year-old daughter Angel Chand.
Shivneel, who managed to escape the raging inferno, died yesterday afternoon at the CWM Hospital in Suva, after allegedly receiving almost 50 per cent burns.
A neighbour, Anish Chand, said he was awakened by the sound of breaking glass and cries for help after midnight.
“I heard someone breaking the glass, this falla was calling mummy, mummy, I thought some thieves were trying to get inside,” he said.
He said he saw Shivam crawling out of the house and calling “Kaka, help me”.
Shivam made several desperate attempts to try and re-enter the burning home to save his wife and daughter.
Mr Chand recently celebrated his 56th birthday and was known in the area as a hardworking man.
Priya’s parents, Rajesh Lal and Reena Kumari, were left shocked and saddened upon receiving news of their daughter’s death.
“She was just at home from the weekend until Tuesday to take care of me, because I was sick,” Ms Kumari said.
“She was the youngest of three siblings, and she told me, ‘mummy, Saturday, I will come again’.”
Investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.
