The National Fire Authority (NFA) has called on the public and business proprietors to remain vigilant as the festive season nears. This advisory follows a severe industrial fire that took place early Friday morning at Auto City Place in Raiwaqa, Suva.
NFA’s CEO, Puamau Sowane, shared that the Suva Fire Station responded to the incident at 2:49 AM, encountering a complex on fire that housed a restaurant, a kava store, and an automotive spare parts shop. Firefighters from the Valelevu Fire Station in Nasinu joined the efforts to control the blaze.
Thanks to their prompt actions, the fire was extinguished within an hour, and the risk of it spreading to nearby buildings was successfully mitigated. Unfortunately, the structure suffered extensive damage, with approximately 80 percent affected, though the total cost of repairs has yet to be calculated. Investigations are set to commence soon to determine the likely cause of the fire.
As the holidays approach, Sowane stressed the crucial need for fire safety. He encouraged business owners to turn off all unused power points and appliances and to secure windows and doors to reduce fire hazards. “These are simple measures that anyone can implement, but they can significantly reduce the chances of unwanted fires and subsequent property loss,” he stated.