A family in Koroqaqa, located along Baulevu Road near Nausori Town, is now without a home following a fire that ravaged their residence on Wednesday morning. According to the National Fire Authority (NFA), the blaze originated from the storage area. The homeowner attempted to extinguish the flames using a garden hose but was forced to flee as the fire spread rapidly.
The NFA has estimated the damage to the four-bedroom house to be between $80,000 to $90,000. Fire crews from the Nausori and Nakasi fire stations responded to the incident around 6 a.m. The house was owned by a 31-year-old taxi driver who was at home with his wife, two children, and mother when the fire broke out.
NFA CEO Puamau Sowane has voiced concerns regarding the increasing number of residential fires. “We are enhancing our Integrated Community Fire Wardens and Emergency Response Framework, a program designed by the NFA that provides free training to communities,” Mr. Sowane stated. He explained that the program includes a two-week intensive training course focusing on firefighting skills, preventing unwanted fires, administering basic first aid, and responding to various emergency situations in the community.
Investigations into the causes of the fire are currently underway.