A fire broke out on Friday morning at John Wesley College in Suva, damaging several key educational facilities. The blaze, which ignited around 10 a.m., completely destroyed the technical drawing room, science lab, home economics room, and a staff area.
Fortunately, there were no students or classes in session at the time, as the school is currently in its examination period. Emergency services, including the National Fire Authority (NFA) and local police, responded promptly to the scene. The NFA was able to extinguish the fire, but their chief executive officer, Sowane Puamau, noted that the response could have been faster—stating that more could have been saved had the fire trucks arrived earlier. Despite this setback, they were able to protect the computer lab from damage.
Mr. Nazid, who assessed the situation, expressed disappointment over the loss of most equipment in the affected rooms. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro visited the college shortly after the incident, where he was updated by the school’s principal. He pointed out that incidents like this serve as a vital learning experience. He emphasized the importance of implementing fire safety education for students, highlighting the necessity of building resilience and safety standards at the school.
Minister Radrodro assured the community that classes will proceed as scheduled next week, despite the damage, and stated that any adjustments required for upcoming examinations would be at the discretion of the school administration.
This incident underscores the critical need for improved fire safety measures and community preparedness. It also reflects a commitment to continue education without significant disruption, showcasing the resilience of the school and its leadership in the face of challenges.
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