Firefighters faced significant challenges while battling a large fire at the Gokal Group warehouse in Suva last Saturday, primarily due to low water pressure and locked roller shutters, according to the National Fire Authority (NFA). The blaze erupted shortly after midnight, with emergency crews arriving about six minutes after the alarm was raised.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the warehouse locked and smoke billowing out, which delayed their access. They had to use special tools to break through and a forklift inside the warehouse helped lift the shutters for entry. Firefighters relied on nearby hydrants for water, but encountered difficulties as low water pressure hampered their firefighting efforts.
In a commendable display of teamwork, fire crews from multiple stations, including off-duty personnel, toiled for nine hours to bring the fire under control. Although they successfully prevented the flames from spreading to the adjacent Fiji Elections Office (FEO), some smoke and heat did affect the building, which has since been closed for assessment.
NFA’s CEO Puamau Sowane indicated that low water pressure was a critical issue during the firefighting efforts, stating that every fire hydrant should ideally be able to deliver at least 1,000 liters of water per minute for effective fire control. The current water mains supplying the city’s hydrants were identified as inadequate for such emergencies.
Sowane also voiced concern about the lack of fire alarm systems installed in the Gokal Group warehouse and surrounding buildings, which could have facilitated early detection and quicker response times. Such systems, when correctly installed and maintained, are crucial for notifying the fire authority promptly.
Despite the extensive damage estimated at $8 million to the concrete warehouse, the dedication of the firefighters was evident, and fortunately, a female firefighter who was injured during the operation has since recovered and returned to duty. Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently underway.
Similar previous incidents highlight ongoing issues with fire safety and infrastructure, pointing to a community need for improved fire safety protocols. There is optimism that this event could catalyze necessary discussions and actions toward enhancing fire safety measures and strengthening overall community resilience against future fire incidents.
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