A fire at John Wesley College in Suva, Fiji, caused significant damage to the vocational technical classrooms and a staff room on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 10 a.m., destroying the technical drawing room, science lab, and home economics room, but fortunately, no classes were in session due to the ongoing examination period.
When emergency responders arrived, National Fire Authority (NFA) officers worked diligently to control the flames, while police assisted in evacuating students. NFA Chief Executive Officer Sowane Puamau noted that had the fire tankers arrived sooner, more spaces could have been saved, but they managed to protect the computer lab.
Mr. Nazid, who assessed the fire’s impact, expressed concern over the loss of essential equipment in the science and technical areas.
Later in the day, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro visited the site for an update from the principal. He mentioned that such incidents serve as crucial learning opportunities and suggested introducing fire safety education into the curriculum. He assured the community that classes would continue as normal the following week, with any necessary adjustments being made by the school’s management.
This unfortunate incident highlights the importance of fire safety and preparedness in educational institutions. Moving forward, it offers a chance for the school to enhance its safety measures and for students to learn valuable lessons in fire mitigation. The resilience shown by the school community, as well as the swift response from emergency services, reinforces a commitment to safeguarding the learning environment despite the challenges.
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