Homes razed

By GYNNIE KERO
MORE than 200 people lost their homes and belongings in a fire which razed 15 homes on Saturday afternoon at the coastal village of Hanuabada in Port Moresby.
Eight people, including a firefighter, were treated at the scene by St John Ambulance officers for smoke inhalation, dehydration and cuts.
The work of the firefighters from PNG Fire Service was made harder by the afternoon south-easterly breeze which fanned the flames.
But they managed to stop it from spreading to other homes, some of which had been built decades ago.
Two appeals for assistance —one by Oil Search and another by National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop — have been launched to help the families.
One of those who lost everything, Rarua Morea Gau from the Gunina clan, said: “My life is gone.”
“I wasn’t around when the fire started. I was out with the men fixing the wharf when someone shouted that there was a house on fire, not realising it was my house.
“We lost our home, belongings and even our livestock (pigs).
“The fire started from one of the houses and quickly spread. I took some of my belongings and put them in my neighbour’s home. Unfortunately that house also caught fire.
“I’m left with nothing.
“I was raised in this home. My dad even didn’t want to go out of the house. He couldn’t bear to see the house go up in flames. This house was built after World War II.
“There were four family units living in my house — about 26 individuals. Good thing there were no casualties.”
Fellow Gunina clan member Dairi Loa said the family home was passed down from her late great grandfather.
Loa had married and moved away from the family home. Her younger brother and the rest of the family occupying it lost all their belongings.