THE two children who perished in the recent fire at the National Broadcasting Corporation’s 5-mile staff units on Friday, August 27, 2021 will be laid to rest at their mother’s home in Cocoalands, Abau district, Central province tomorrow.
In a moving funeral yesterday, the two little coffins laid side by side before their parents and the Firefighters that have been mourning since the loss of their two young children.
The death of Nella Feruda, 5 and Antonio Rolanda Karubaba, 4 had really touched the hearts of the Firefighters who at that time of the incident tried their utmost best to save them.
According to the Boroko Fire Station Alpha Platoon Commander Lua Roa Jnr, his officers tried to force entry into the burning building however retreated due to three gas cylinders that exploded at that time. Commander Roa Jnr said, this could have been massive with additional casualties.
Commander Roa Jnr and his three male officers and a lone female officer attended the funeral of the two deceased children which was the first of its kind for PNG Fire Service.
“We never attend funeral services of fire victims but for this specific one, it is different. The death of these two children really disturbed us over the weekend and so we thought it was proper for us to pay our last respect,” said Roa Jnr.
Deputy Chairman of NBC Board Emil Tenoa on behalf of the board management and staff conveyed his heartfelt condolence to his staff Sonny Karubaba and the family for the loss of their two beautiful children.
The tragedy has also given a wake up signal to the management of NBC to rebuild new homes for its staff.
Mr Tenoa used this opportunity to express the board and management’s concept of creating new kits for NBC.
He also said through his Facebook page regarding the tragedy he received overwhelming tributes from around the nation.
“I have received more than 3,000 tributes which I cannot read but I am just telling you that it is how much that has been felt among the entire nation of Papua New Guinea because of these two beautiful souls,” said Mr Tenoa.
Mr. Tenoa thanked everyone for their support in cash or kind towards Mr Karubaba and his family.