A family in Koroqaqa, located along Baulevu Road near Nausori Town, has lost their home following a fire that broke out on Wednesday morning. According to the National Fire Authority (NFA), the blaze originated from a storage area. The homeowner attempted to extinguish the fire using a garden hose but had to evacuate when the flames spread rapidly.
The estimated damage to the four-bedroom residence amounts to between $80,000 and $90,000. Fire crews from the Nausori and Nakasi fire stations arrived on the scene at around 6 a.m. at the time of the incident, which impacted a 31-year-old taxi driver, his wife, two children, and mother, all of whom were home during the fire.
Investigations are currently ongoing. NFA CEO Puamau Sowane has voiced concerns regarding the increasing frequency of residential fires. He mentioned that the authority is enhancing its Integrated Community Fire Wardens and Emergency Response Framework. This initiative includes a free training program for communities, which lasts two weeks and focuses on firefighting skills, fire prevention, basic first aid, and emergency response strategies.