A fire at John Wesley College in Suva caused significant damage to several technical vocational classrooms and a staff room on Friday morning. The blaze, which started around 10 AM, resulted in the destruction of the technical drawing room, science lab, home economics room, and a staff room.
Fortunately, there were no students present at the time, as the school is currently in its examination period. Emergency responders from the National Fire Authority (NFA) worked swiftly to contain the fire, with police assisting in the evacuation of the premises. Sowane Puamau, NFA’s chief executive officer, indicated that the fire could have been contained more effectively if their tankers had arrived earlier, although they were able to save the computer lab.
Mr. Puamau highlighted the importance of fire safety measures, suggesting this incident serves as a critical reminder of the need for proper fire readiness. Mr. Nazid, who assessed the damage, stated that most equipment in the affected areas was lost.
Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro visited the site the same day to gather information from the principal. He conveyed that such unfortunate incidents present opportunities for learning and emphasized the importance of fire safety education for students, including the possibility of bringing in fire experts to teach mitigation strategies. Radrodro assured that classes would proceed as normal next week and noted that adjustments to the internal examination schedule might be necessary.
In summary, while the fire at John Wesley College was a tragic event, it also opens the door for enhanced safety protocols and fire education initiatives that could benefit students and staff in the future. This incident is a poignant reminder of the importance of preparedness and resilience in educational environments.
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