Fire razes home, leaves 13 homeless

 By FIDELIS SUKINA

A FIRE has left a family of 13 homeless and all their belongings destroyed.

Homeowner Pius Wama said the fire started around 7.30pm and completely razed the family home in Erima, Port Moresby, within 30 minutes. 

He suspected that the fire started from a stove used by tenants living below them.

He said they could not contain the fire because the tenants had locked the door to their flat.

Firefighters from 4-Mile arrived an hour late and managed to save neighbouring homes.

Wama also blamed the lack of water in the area for their failure to put out the fire.

“There is no water here in Erima 1 and we could not put out the flames before the fire got too big,” Wama said.

The family lost all their belongings, including two desktop computers, a laptop, white goods and important documents. 

Wama said he would look for ways to rebuild the family home.

“I feel helpless. We will get reports from police and the fire department to compile something to get assistance,” Wama said

No comments could be obtained from the police and fire department.