All five classrooms and equipment at Baulevu Primary School were destroyed by fire on Saturday, March 22, 1989.
An article in The Fiji Times two days later reported that police suspected arson and that a fire investigator had been called in to determine the cause.
The article mentioned that shocked committee members were planning to build makeshift sheds to accommodate the 110 students of the Shantiketan Pathshala, about 35km from Nausori.
The rural school, built in 1950, had served a large farming community in the Bucalevu area and was destroyed in less than 45 minutes.
It was not insured.
“We were powerless to stop the fire. It was so fierce,” school treasurer Vijendra Prasad told this newspaper.
“No one could approach the building because of the intense heat and there was no fire-fighting equipment.
“Nothing was saved — the books, chairs, desks, and office equipment were all destroyed.
“Damage must be more than $150,000.”
Schoolboy Saneshwar Singh, 15, ran nearly 1km to alert neighbors to the fire after he saw flames leaping from the school office. More than 60 people rushed to the scene but their efforts to save the building were hampered by the lack of proper water supply, a strong breeze, and the intense heat.
“I was standing outside my house when I saw flames leaping from the office windows,” Saneshwar said.
“I ran to alert the neighbors who live some distance away and by the time we got to the school, the fire was well advanced.
“I noticed the fire at about 1 pm and by 1:45 pm everything was over.”
When a team from The Fiji Times visited the school, charred school books were strewn on the ground and the floor of the school was thick with ash.
Only the walls of the building remained standing. The roof had caved in.
“We have given so much for this school and now it looks like some irresponsible person has destroyed all our efforts,” said Suresh Kumar.
“Now our children have nowhere to go to school.
“Where will I send my two children? Where will they go to school?
“People here are too poor to afford sending their kids by bus to schools that are far away.
“If nothing is done, our children’s education will be in danger.”
Treasurer Mr. Prasad expressed concern over the loss of the school but was more worried that students would have no classrooms until alternative arrangements were made.
He said the school committee would ask the Ministry of Education to help set up makeshift classrooms.
“We will approach the ministry for help in setting up the classrooms.
“The most important thing is the children’s education and we will ensure that their classes resume as soon as possible.”
Committee members believed the fire started in the office.
An office window, which had been closed on Friday afternoon, March 21, was found open on Saturday, March 22 when the first people arrived at the scene.
The school did not have an electricity supply.
“We feel that it is beyond reasonable doubt that the fire was caused intentionally.
“There is no way the fire could have started by itself but we must await the fire report.”
A team of detectives from the Nausori Police Station arrived on Saturday afternoon to speak to witnesses.