A 33-year-old teacher died at the Niu'eiki Hospital after he was caught in a house fire at the ‘Eua High School compound in ‘Ohonua, ‘Eua, yesterday.

Fire Commander Sinamoni Kauvaka said today a neighbour reported the fire at about 1:00am to the fire station in ‘Eua.

“By the time the firefighters arrived at the scene, the fire had already engulfed the brick duplex home. The victim lived alone," he said.

The couple next door had tried to break open the door to see whether the man was still inside. Then they saw him escape by crawling out of the window and that he was affected by the fire. They rushed him to the hospital in 'Eua where he died around the afternoon of the same day, said Kauvaka. 

An investigation is continuing into the cause of the fire.