The National Fire Authority (NFA) is urging the public and business owners to remain vigilant as the festive season approaches. This advice follows a significant industrial fire that broke out early Friday morning at the Auto City Place in Raiwaqa, Suva.
NFA CEO Puamau Sowane reported that the crew from the Suva Fire Station responded to the incident at 2:49 AM, arriving to find a complex that housed a restaurant, a kava store, and an automotive spare parts shop fully engulfed in flames.
Firefighters from the Valelevu Fire Station in Nasinu joined in the efforts to extinguish the fire. Their quick actions led to the successful containment of the blaze within an hour, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. Nonetheless, the building suffered extensive damage, with about 80 percent of its structure compromised. The total cost of the damages has yet to be assessed.
An investigation is set to begin soon to determine the cause of the fire. As the festive season nears, Sowane has stressed the importance of fire safety. He urged business owners to ensure that all unused power outlets and devices are turned off, and to secure windows and doors to lower the risk of fires.
“These simple measures can be easily implemented but can greatly reduce the likelihood of unwanted fires and protect property,” he emphasized.