A structural fire partially destroyed an industrial property in Lautoka yesterday, raising concerns about safety protocols during the incident. The fire was first reported by Penaisi Ciri, a secured security officer on duty, who noticed smoke coming from the premises in the Namoli industrial area around 12:30 PM.
Ciri indicated that his efforts to reach emergency services were initially unsuccessful, stating, “I called the National Fire Authority four times but no one was answering. When we did manage to get a hold of them, they arrived 15 minutes later.” Witnesses believe the blaze began at Popular Furniture and then spread to a neighboring property.
Firefighters reportedly faced challenges in gaining access to the site. Ciri mentioned that they requested a crowbar to open the gate and reach the compound. During the chaos, he took on the responsibility of managing traffic and ensuring bystanders stayed safe after a tank on the property ruptured, causing additional alarm. “There was a long queue of cars; I stopped them from driving past this area because a tank had exploded,” he noted, urging people to move away from the building to prevent further injuries.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and attempts to secure an official statement from the National Fire Authority (NFA) were unsuccessful by press time. Phone calls to NFA’s media liaison and acting CEO went unanswered.
This incident highlights the potential gaps in emergency response protocols that could have serious implications for safety in industrial areas. The community hopes for a comprehensive review and improvements in safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
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