A FAMILY of four is homeless after their three-bedroom house was destroyed in an early morning fire yesterday in Makoi Stage One, Nasinu.
Homeowner, 56-year-old retired military officer Mosese Talemaimaleya could not come to terms with his loss, saying his family's years of hard work had been destroyed by fire.
Speaking to The Fiji Times, an emotional Mr Talemaimaleya said they had lost everything in the fire.
"The only thing we have are the clothes we're wearing," he said.
The house caught fire at 10am while Mr Talemaimaleya's wife and two children were at home.
"I was in Suva when I was informed that my house was on fire. When I got there, the only thing I could see were flames engulfing my house," he said.
Mr Talemaimaleya said it was fortunate his wife and children escaped injuries.
Neighbour Baram Maharaj said he tried helping the wife and children stop the fire but couldn't do anything because of the intensity of the blaze.
Mr Maharaj said the house was already on fire when they called the National Fire Authority. He said the family had lived in the area for more than 20 years.
Mr Talemaimaleya is asking government and members of the public for assistance so he can rebuild his home.
Meanwhile, NFA chief executive John O'Connor said according to preliminary investigations, children playing with ignition sources could have caused the fire.
A total of 42 structural fires have occurred so far this year, three more than this time last year.