The National Fire Authority (NFA) has issued a warning to the public and business owners to be vigilant as the festive season draws near. This caution follows a serious industrial fire that occurred 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, finding 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 also provided support in extinguishing the fire.
The firefighting team successfully controlled the blaze within an hour, preventing it from spreading to neighboring buildings. However, the structure suffered 80 percent damage, and the total cost of the destruction has yet to be assessed. Investigations into the cause of the fire are expected to begin soon.
With the festive season approaching, Mr. Sowane stressed the importance of fire safety. He urged business owners to turn off all unused power outlets and machines and to secure windows and doors to reduce fire hazards. “These are all simple measures that anyone can implement, but they can significantly reduce the chances of unwanted fires and subsequent property loss,” he emphasized.