A house in Lakepa was destroyed by fire on Thursday, leaving the occupant unharmed but causing significant loss.
Fire Commissioner Viliami Tu’ihalamaka told Tonga Broadcasting that firefighters arrived to find the house completely engulfed in flames. “The fire had already consumed the entire structure when our crew arrived,” he said.
The occupant, who was asleep when the fire broke out, was alerted by neighbors after they noticed smoke coming from a window. The house, a brick structure with a tin roof and timber flooring, was completely destroyed.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing.
This incident follows another tragic fire in Halaleva last weekend, which claimed one life.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and take precautions to prevent further fires.