The National Fire Authority (NFA) has issued a warning to the public and business owners to be vigilant as the festive season approaches. This alert follows a major industrial fire that broke out on Friday morning at Auto City Place in Raiwaqa, Suva.
NFA CEO Puamau Sowane revealed that firefighters from the Suva Fire Station arrived at the scene at 2:49 AM to discover a complex, which housed a restaurant, a kava store, and an automotive spare parts shop, engulfed in flames.
Firefighters from the Valelevu Fire Station in Nasinu also responded to help contain the fire. The firefighting team was able to extinguish the blaze within an hour and prevented it from spreading to neighboring buildings. Despite their efforts, the affected structure experienced 80 percent damage, and the total cost of the loss remains undetermined.
Investigations are set to begin soon to determine the potential cause of the fire. As the holiday season nears, Mr. Sowane emphasized the critical nature of fire safety. He urged business owners to turn off all unused power outlets and equipment and to secure windows and doors, thereby reducing the risk of fire hazards.
“These are simple measures anyone can take, but they can significantly minimize the likelihood of uncontrollable fires and protect property from loss,” he said.