The National Fire Authority (NFA) has warned the public and business owners to be cautious as the festive season approaches. This advisory follows a major industrial fire that broke out on Friday morning at the Auto City Place in Raiwaqa, Suva.
NFA CEO Puamau Sowane stated that the Suva Fire Station crew responded to the emergency at 2:49 am and found the complex, which housed a restaurant, a kava store, and an automotive spare parts shop, completely engulfed in flames.
Firefighters from the Valelevu Fire Station in Nasinu joined the efforts to extinguish the fire. Their prompt response allowed them to control the blaze within an hour, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings. Despite their efforts, the structure suffered 80 percent damage, and the estimated cost of the destruction is still being assessed.
Investigations into the potential cause of the fire will commence shortly. As the festive season approaches, Sowane stressed the importance of fire safety, advising business owners to turn off all unused power outlets and equipment and to secure windows and doors to reduce fire hazards.
“These are simple measures that anyone can take, but they can significantly decrease the chances of unwanted fires and subsequent property loss,” he emphasized.