A child was burned to death when a fire gutted a house his parents were renting at Kaibia height, last Saturday.
The tragedy, which shocked neighbours, occurred at around 1.30pm.
“It happened so fast that neighbours were unable to save the boy,” the Sunday Star was told at the scene.
The boy, believed to be between seven and eight years old, was at home with his two sisters when the fire started.
Their parents were away in town.
“He was believed to be sleeping in his room,” one neighbour said.
“When the fire started, his two sisters quickly escaped, without realising their brother was still inside.
“They sought help but by that time, the flames were all over the house. It was impossible for anyone to get inside.
“Everyone stood helpless and just watch the house gutted away. It was a heartbreaking moment.
“The men tried looking for possibilities to get into the house to rescue the boy. But it was just not possible,” the neighbour said.
Another neighbour said the fire was made worse by strong wind.
“The wind flame the fire and within just about 30 minutes, the top floor of the double-storey home was gone.
“It happened so fast.
“The fire service came but by the time they arrived, the top floor where the boy died was gone,” he said.
When the parents arrived, their home and everything within were gone.
The cause of the fire is now a subject of police investigation.
The home was not connected to Honiara’s power supply.
The family that lived on the ground floor, who are owners of the home, also lost everything.
BY BRADFORD THEONOMI
