Firefighters from the Levuka Fire Station swiftly acted to avert a disaster at the old Pacific Fishing Company building in Levuka on Wednesday, September 4.
The National Fire Authority received an alert about the fire at 4:15 PM, and the crew reached the scene in just four minutes to find a 30×20 wooden structure engulfed in flames. Using a dividing breeching device and a nearby hydrant, the firefighters successfully brought the fire under control by 5:41 PM.
The building, which had previously functioned as a kindergarten, suffered complete structural destruction. As of now, the estimated cost of the damages remains undetermined.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, September 3, the Seaqaqa Fire Station responded to a fire at Nakoro Settlement, where they discovered a vacant single-bedroom house that had burned down. This house was significantly damaged, equipped with solar power, and had been home to six individuals.
The causes of both fires are currently under investigation. Puamau Sowane, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Fire Authority, commended the Levuka team for their quick response and emphasized the rising threat of structural fires due to the ongoing hot and dry weather, urging the community to stay alert regarding fire safety.