The National Fire Authority (NFA) is advising the public and business owners to be vigilant as the festive season nears. This alert follows a serious industrial fire that broke out on Friday morning at Auto City Place in Raiwaqa, Suva.
NFA CEO Puamau Sowane reported that the Suva Fire Station crew arrived at the site at 2:49 am to find a building complex that included a restaurant, a kava store, and an automotive spare parts shop fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters from the Valelevu Fire Station in Nasinu also provided assistance in battling the fire.
The firefighting team successfully extinguished the blaze within an hour, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. However, the building sustained significant damage, with 80 percent of its structure affected, and the total cost of damages is still being assessed. Investigations are set to begin soon to determine the cause of the fire.
As the holiday period approaches, Sowane stressed the importance of fire safety measures. He encouraged business owners to turn off all unused power outlets and machinery, and to secure all windows and doors to reduce fire risks.
“These simple steps can greatly lower the likelihood of unexpected fires and resulting property damage,” he stated.