Inferno Engulfs John Wesley College: A Wake-Up Call for Fire Safety

A fire severely damaged John Wesley College’s technical vocational classrooms and a staff room on Friday morning, causing significant losses to important educational facilities. The blaze, which ignited around 10 am, destroyed critical areas including the technical drawing room, science lab, and home economics room. Fortunately, no classes were in session at the time, as the school is currently undergoing examinations.

Responding promptly to the emergency, officers from the National Fire Authority (NFA) worked diligently to control the fire while police supported in evacuating students. NFA Chief Executive Officer Sowane Puamau noted that although they managed to save the computer lab, the response could have been more effective had the fire trucks arrived sooner. He emphasized the importance of fire safety awareness to prevent such incidents in the future.

As the situation unfolded, Mr. Nazid, who assessed the damage, revealed that most of the equipment in the affected classrooms had been lost. By midday, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro visited the site to gather information directly from the school’s principal. He remarked that incidents like this serve as valuable learning opportunities and stressed the necessity of implementing fire mitigation training for students. He also urged that the National Fire Authority assess the building’s resilience and safety standards.

On a positive note, Minister Radrodro assured that classes would continue as scheduled next week, despite the damage. He mentioned that any adjustments needed for the internal examinations would be managed by the school’s administration, showcasing the school’s determination to maintain educational continuity even in the face of adversity.

This incident highlights the importance of preparedness and resilience in educational environments, as well as the community’s collective response in crisis situations. The hope is that this event will lead to improved safety measures and education about fire prevention in schools, ultimately protecting students and staff in the future.