The Housing Authority of Fiji has issued a new advisory to homeowners who hold mortgages covered by its Group Property Insurance, warning that storing large quantities of fuel at home could create serious safety risks and may lead to insurance claims being rejected. The Authority said insurance cover under the group policy is restricted to normal household use and does not extend to properties where fuel is kept in amounts beyond what is reasonably required for everyday domestic purposes.
Chief Executive Officer Isikeli Navuda said the advisory is intended to protect both lives and assets. "The safety of our customers and their homes is our top priority. We urge all homeowners to avoid storing fuel beyond normal household needs. Excessive storage increases risk and may affect insurance claims. We encourage everyone to follow safety guidelines to protect their families and investments," Mr Navuda said in the statement released on Friday.
The Housing Authority noted that storing larger-than-necessary fuel supplies not only elevates the risk of fire and related hazards, but may also breach national regulations — a concern others have previously flagged, including the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Consumer Council of Fiji. Homeowners were cautioned that, where investigations find excessive fuel storage contributed to property damage or loss, claims under the Group Property Insurance could be declined.
The advisory comes amid heightened scrutiny of home fuel storage after a series of recent fires that authorities say were worsened by combustible materials kept on premises. The National Fire Authority issued stern warnings following a deadly blaze in Meigunyeh, Nadi last year, saying intense fuel loads and other combustible items significantly accelerated fire spread and hampered escape. Separate incidents, including a Tacirua house fire where a gas cylinder explosion compounded damage, have similarly prompted public safety appeals.
The Housing Authority is urging customers to keep only minimal quantities of fuel necessary for household use and to ensure storage complies with safety rules and applicable legal requirements. It did not specify a litre limit in the advisory; instead the Authority stressed the general standard of "normal household use" that applies to the group insurance policy.
For mortgaged homeowners, the update clarifies a potential insurance exposure: beyond immediate safety risks, excessive fuel storage could result in financial loss if a claim is found to be invalid. The Housing Authority's move is designed to remind borrowers to review their storage practices and to take steps — such as following manufacturer and local safety guidance — to reduce fire risk and remain within policy conditions.
The advisory is a timely development for householders and the insurance sector as regulators, fire services and consumer groups continue to press for safer practices and clearer guidance on domestic fuel handling.
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