A family in Koroqaqa, situated along Baulevu Road just outside Nausori Town, is now without a home after a fire consumed their house on Wednesday morning.
According to the National Fire Authority (NFA), the blaze ignited in the storage area of the residence. The homeowner attempted to extinguish the fire using a garden hose, but the flames spread quickly, forcing the family to evacuate.
The NFA assessed the damage to the four-bedroom property and estimated the costs to be between $80,000 and $90,000. Fire crews from the Nausori and Nakasi fire stations responded to the scene around 6 am. At the time of the incident, a 31-year-old taxi driver was present at home with his wife, two children, and his mother.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently ongoing. NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane expressed alarm at the increasing number of residential fires.
“To combat this issue, we are enhancing our Integrated Community Fire Wardens and Emergency Response Framework, a free training program designed by the NFA for all communities,” Mr. Sowane stated.
This program includes two weeks of intensive training focused on firefighting skills, fire prevention techniques, basic first aid, and emergency response within local communities.