The National Fire Authority (NFA) has called on the public and business owners to be vigilant as the festive season approaches. This advisory comes after a major industrial fire that took place early Friday morning at Auto City Place in Raiwaqa, Suva.
NFA CEO Puamau Sowane reported that firefighters from the Suva Fire Station arrived at the scene at 2:49 AM to find a complex, which housed a restaurant, a kava store, and an automotive spare parts shop, fully ablaze. Firefighters from the Valelevu Fire Station in Nasinu also joined the efforts to control the fire.
The firefighting crews managed to extinguish the flames within an hour, successfully preventing the fire from spreading to nearby structures. However, the building suffered 80 percent structural damage, and the cost of the damages has not yet been assessed.
Investigations will soon begin to determine the cause of the fire. As the festive period draws near, Mr. Sowane stressed the importance of fire safety. He urged business owners to turn off all unused power outlets and equipment, as well as secure windows and doors to lessen fire risks.
“These are simple measures anyone can take, but they can greatly diminish the likelihood of unwanted fires and potential property loss,” he emphasized.