A family in Koroqaqa, located along Baulevu Road just outside Nausori Town, has been left homeless after a fire ravaged their residence on Wednesday morning. The National Fire Authority (NFA) reported that the blaze originated in the storage area of the house. The homeowner initially attempted to extinguish the flames using a garden hose but was forced to flee as the fire quickly escalated.
The estimated damage to the four-bedroom house is between $80,000 and $90,000. Emergency teams from the Nausori and Nakasi fire stations responded to the fire around 6 AM. At the time of the incident, the residence was occupied by a 31-year-old taxi driver, his wife, their two children, and the homeowner’s mother.
The NFA has commenced an investigation into the fire. Puamau Sowane, the chief executive officer of the NFA, raised concerns about the increasing number of residential fires. He announced efforts to enhance their Integrated Community Fire Wardens and Emergency Response Framework, a training program offered at no cost to communities.
“This program entails two weeks of intensive training focused on firefighting techniques, preventing unwanted fires, administering basic first aid, and responding effectively to various emergencies within local communities,” Mr. Sowane stated.