A family in Koroqaqa, located along Baulevu Road outside Nausori Town, has been left homeless following a fire that ravaged their home on Wednesday morning. The National Fire Authority (NFA) reported that the blaze originated in the storage area, and the homeowner attempted to extinguish it with a garden hose. Unfortunately, the fire quickly spread, forcing the family to flee to safety.
The estimated damage to the four-bedroom residence is between $80,000 and $90,000. Fire crews from the NFA at the Nausori and Nakasi fire stations responded to the incident around 6 a.m. At the time of the fire, the home was occupied by a 31-year-old taxi driver, along with his wife, two children, and his mother.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane expressed concern over the increasing number of residential fires. He announced that the organization is enhancing its Integrated Community Fire Wardens and Emergency Response Framework, which is a training program conducted free of charge for communities.
“This program includes two weeks of intensive training focused on firefighting skills, preventing unwanted fires, administering basic first aid, and responding to various emergencies within the community,” he stated.