The father of six children said suddenly their granddaughter saw fire inside the living room through the gaps on the door and alerted her grandmother.
Leone Mocelekaleka with his wife, Mareta Mocelekaleka and grand daughter, Mareta Mocelekaleka in Naodamu, Labasa on June 21, 2023. Photo: Shratika Naidu
An elderly couple of Vesidrua, Seaqaqa are thankful for their brave four-year-old granddaughter despite losing their five bedroom family house in a fire.
“I was driving a truck in my sugarcane farm while my wife, Mareta Mocelekaleka and granddaughter, Mareta Mocelekaleka (namesake) were at home,” he said.
“My wife was fast asleep while our grand daughter watched cartoon on the mobile phone.”
The father of six children said suddenly their granddaughter saw fire inside the living room through the gaps on the door and alerted her grandmother.
“Nau, Nau, Raica (grandmother, look), my granddaughter shouted to my wife and they rushed out of the house for safety,” Mr Mocelekaleka said.
“We couldn’t save anything, expect for a mobile phone which my granddaughter managed to carry with her.”
The retired army officer hailed his granddaughter as hero for saving herself and his wife.
“Even though we are sad to lose our family house which we built 33 years ago from every little saving, but I am thankful to God for saving my wife and granddaughter,” he said.
They are now renting at block ten, Naodamu, Labasa since they lost everything in the fire.
Police spokesperson Wame Bautolu confirmed that the house was completely burnt down.
“Investigations continue as we await the fire report from National Fire Authority,” Mr Bautolu said.
Story by: Shratika Naidu – [email protected]
