The first thing she said upon seeing him was, “Isa na luvequ, tou sa mate nikua o kedatou” (Oh, my son, we are going to die today).
House owner, Atunaisa Qerei, 59, in front of what used to be his home at Vunidakua Settlement, Cunningham on October 24, 2023. Photo: Ronald Kumar
When Ratu Suliano Matamumu woke up in his smoke-filled room, his immediate instinct was to save his mother, Ana Maria Radininiulele, a stroke patient.
He moved into the sitting room to find his mother crawling around.
The first thing she said upon seeing him was, “Isa na luvequ, tou sa mate nikua o kedatou” (Oh, my son, we are going to die today).
Today, the 79-year-old woman is grateful because no one was hurt when the house at Vunidakua Settlement in Cunningham was destroyed in a fire on Monday night.
“I don’t know how to describe how I felt when I realised the house was on fire. I am happy no one was injured or died,” Ms Radininiulele said.
“We couldn’t save anything but the clothes we had on. The fire spread quickly because it was a windy night.”
Ratu Suliano was thankful he woke up when he did.
“After dinner, I fell asleep. My niece came to the room to wake me up because the house was on fire,” he said.
“When I opened my eyes, I realised the room was full of smoke. Upon entering the sitting room, I saw my mother crawling, picked her up, and ran outside to safety.
“I tried to run back in, thinking that my nephew and nieces were still inside, but was told that everyone was outside. I am glad that I did not panic because it could have been a different story.”
79-year-old Ana Maria Radininiulele was saved by her son Ratu Suliano Matamumu from the burning home at Vunidakua Settlement, Cunningham on October 24, 2023. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Home owner shares story
The home owner, Atunaisa Qerei, was thankful no one was injured.
“When I saw the house this morning, I cried because I thought of how I retired from the military and used my Fiji National Provident Fund to build my house. I am a security officer now, and I was at work when this happened,” Mr Qerei said.
“When my children called to tell me what happened, the first thing I asked was if they were safe. I thank God that everyone was safe because a house can be rebuilt.”
Mr Qerei invested over $30,000 to build his home in 2019.
If anyone would like to help Mr Qerei, his contact number is 8653058, BSP Account: 82640604 and M-PAiSA : 8653058
Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj
