The National Fire Authority (NFA) has issued a warning to the public and business owners to be vigilant as the festive season nears. This advisory follows a substantial industrial fire that broke out on Friday morning at Auto City Place in Raiwaqa, Suva.
NFA’s CEO Puamau Sowane reported that the crew from the Suva Fire Station responded to the emergency at 2:49 AM, arriving to find a building complex, which housed a restaurant, a kava store, and an auto parts shop, fully engulfed in flames.
Firefighters from the Valelevu Fire Station in Nasinu also joined in the efforts to extinguish the fire. Their prompt actions proved effective, as they were able to control the blaze within an hour, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. Despite this success, the building suffered significant damage – approximately 80 percent of its structure has been compromised, though an estimated cost for the damage is yet to be calculated.
Investigations into the possible cause of the fire are set to begin soon. As the holiday season approaches, Mr. Sowane stressed the critical need for fire safety. He encouraged business owners to turn off all unused electrical appliances and machines and to secure their windows and doors to reduce fire hazards. He stated, “These are simple measures that anyone can implement, but they can significantly reduce the chances of unwanted fires and subsequent property loss.”