The National Fire Authority (NFA) has reported a staggering 43% increase in property fire damages during the first half of 2025, with losses soaring from $7.37 million last year to over $10.56 million. The number of fire incidents recorded from January to June rose slightly, with 85 fires reported compared to 81 in the same period the previous year. However, the damage costs have significantly escalated, giving rise to new concerns in fire safety.
NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane highlighted a troubling trend: there has been a noticeable increase in incendiary fires, or fires deliberately set to cause harm. According to Sowane, the primary causes of these incidents have shifted from electrical faults and unattended cooking to more deliberate acts of arson. He noted that between 2019 to 2023, the main contributors to fires included electrical faults, arson, and unattended cooking. Alarmingly, 2024 and 2025 have seen a rise in specifically incendiary incidents.
Recent examples of such catastrophic fires include the complete destruction of the Old CWM Birthing Unit in Toorak caused by an incendiary fire, resulting in damages of $80,000, and a significant fire at the Rups Big Bear warehouse in Raiwaqa on June 12, attributed to electrical faults, causing $1.2 million in damages.
Mr. Sowane has also indicated that most fires, approximately 95%, have occurred in homes, leading to more individuals being displaced—652 in 2025 compared to 566 in 2024. Additionally, there has been a 50% rise in incidents involving empty houses, with nine reported fires this year compared to six in the previous year.
In response to these alarming trends, Mr. Sowane has urged homeowners to be proactive in securing their properties, especially when leaving them unoccupied. He emphasized the importance of notifying neighbors or the nearest police station before leaving and advised the public to practice fire safety measures such as ensuring electrical appliances are turned off and flammable materials are safely stored.
The situation presents a critical call to action for communities to enhance fire safety awareness and adherence to regulations, potentially leading to a safer environment for all. The NFA remains committed to raising awareness about the dangers of both accidental and intentional fires, and there is hope that together with the community’s efforts, we can reverse these troubling statistics.
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