A family is mourning the loss of their home after a fire destroyed their flat on Nasoki Street in Lautoka yesterday afternoon. The family, still processing the shock of their loss, declined to make a statement regarding the incident.
Witnesses in the neighborhood expressed their worries and relief that no injuries occurred during the fire. The National Fire Authority (NFA) responded quickly to the scene, successfully containing the blaze and preventing it from spreading to nearby residences.
According to NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane, firefighters arrived at the location at 12:03 PM and encountered a concrete and wooden structure comprised of three flats, which was fully consumed by flames. “They promptly initiated firefighting measures by deploying two lengths of hose from a tank supply to halt the fire’s advance toward adjacent homes situated just meters away,” Mr. Sowane explained.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire with assistance from a hydrant at Vitogo Parade, and they remained on-site until 4 PM to manage lingering hotspots. The damaged property belongs to a 70-year-old woman, with two of the three flats rented out to tenants. The structure was deemed to have sustained complete damage, and the total cost of repairs is still being assessed.