Second fire hits Hanuabada

By GYNNIE KERO
THREE homes were razed in a second fire early yesterday morning at Hanuabada in Port Moresby while villagers were still reeling from the
shock of losing 15 homes two days earlier.
More than 200 people are homeless as fundraising efforts to help the victims intensifies.
Single mother Louisa Kariko said she lost everything in the home she had lived in with two of
her sons, a grand-daughter and nephew.
“The fire started at 6.15am in our neighbour’s bedroom. I was still sleeping. There was smoke, so I got up and heard people shouting,” she said.
“I ran out to check which house and it was next to us. I ran back, grab my children, my grand-daughter, my two sons and my nephew, told them get out. I put the power off and got out. We ran out with what we have on us. We couldn’t save anything.
“What could we do? There’s no water. The boys went up to save the house. But I’ve just been told I lost everything.”
She said her elder son was in Africa and had not been told.
“Everything of sentimental value to me is gone. All my children and grandchildren grew up in the house. That’s my life’s savings – the house,” she said.
Dikana Ao, who also lost his house last Saturday, recalled how swiftly the fire spread.
He said that he and some men “were busy with a dart competition, then we heard a house was on fire. The boys tried to put out the fire but very difficult – no water and low tide”.
Eda Ranu opens the water supply to the village at 6.30am and closes it at around 10pm daily.