In the wake of two school fires, the National Fire Authority (NFA) is ramping up its inspections of schools across the country to ensure adherence to fire safety standards. NFA’s chief executive, Puamau Sowane, emphasized the need for immediate action following the incidents at Desbhandhu Vitogo Primary School in Lautoka on October 12 and Lomaivuna High School on October 6.
The NFA is also encouraging both government and school officials to prioritize investment in fire insurance for their facilities.
At Desbhandhu Vitogo Primary School, the fire resulted in the destruction of four classrooms, an office, a staff room, and a computer room. The school, which was made of concrete with a corrugated iron roof and aluminum doors, suffered 95 percent damage, with losses estimated at $220,000. Currently, students are attending classes in tents. The total estimated cost of the damage, which includes $160,000 in items such as laptops, projectors, stationery, and appliances, reaches around $380,000.
An investigation is underway to identify the likely cause of the fire.
In addition to addressing these incidents, the NFA has initiated talks with the Permanent Secretary for Education and the Minister of Education about integrating a Fire Safety Curriculum into early education. This initiative aims to educate children about fire safety to enable them to act appropriately during emergencies.
NFA has prioritized inspections of high-risk schools, especially those with boarding facilities, commercial kitchens, old classroom blocks, and chemistry labs. Thus far, 25 schools have been inspected, including 12 major boarding schools in Viti Levu and Taveuni, with each school hosting over 500 students. Inspections were conducted at the request of the schools or were scheduled as part of NFA’s high-risk assessment.
The NFA intends to inspect all primary and secondary schools across Fiji, focusing on those more susceptible to fire hazards in an effort to reduce school fire incidents by ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
Statistics provided by Mr. Sowane reveal that from January 2019 to October 15, 2024, 22 school buildings experienced damage exceeding 90 percent, comprising 11 classrooms and offices, five dormitory buildings, six teachers’ quarters, and a tool shed, leading to a total damage cost of over $3.7 million.
Mr. Sowane urged school administrators and the government to seriously consider investing in fire insurance for school properties, noting that substantial educational investments have been compromised by recent fires. He underscored the importance of safeguarding government investments in schools, particularly regarding fire safety when children are on site.
To further enhance safety, the NFA is working closely with building and government architects to ensure that all public buildings, especially schools, comply with the minimum fire safety standards outlined in the National Building Code of Fiji. They are also collecting data from the Ministry of Education about the ages of specific school buildings to provide tailored fire safety advice based on the associated risks of older structures.
This effort remains a top priority for the NFA, which will continue to offer updates as it progresses with inspections and enhances fire safety education in schools.