In light of two recent school fires, the National Fire Authority (NFA) is ramping up fire safety inspections at educational institutions across the country. NFA chief executive Puamau Sowane highlighted the pressing need for action following the fires at Desbhandhu Vitogo Primary School on October 12 and Lomaivuna High School on October 6.
The NFA is also calling on government and school leaders to prioritize fire insurance for their facilities.
The fire at Desbhandhu Vitogo Primary School resulted in the destruction of four classrooms, an office, a staff room, and a computer room. The concrete building, which had a corrugated iron roof and aluminum doors, suffered 95 percent damage, with repair costs estimated at $220,000. Currently, students are attending classes in tents. The total damage, including items destroyed valued at $160,000, adds up to approximately $380,000.
Significant items lost in the fire included a photocopier, laptops, projectors, computer sets, tablets, school stationery, office furniture, refrigerators, and supplies meant for students’ lunches.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.
To further enhance fire safety awareness, the NFA has started discussions with the education ministry about introducing a Fire Safety Curriculum for younger students, aiming to equip them with the knowledge to handle emergency situations effectively.
The NFA has prioritized inspections for high-risk schools, notably those with boarding facilities, commercial kitchens, historical buildings, or chemistry labs. So far, 25 schools have been inspected, including 12 major boarding schools with student populations exceeding 500. These inspections were either requested by the schools or scheduled as part of the NFA’s high-risk assessment strategy.
Sowane reiterated NFA’s commitment to inspect all primary and secondary schools across Fiji, focusing on educational institutions more susceptible to fire hazards. The intention is to reduce the incidence of school fires by ensuring adherence to fire safety standards.
According to NFA statistics, from January 2019 to October 15, 2024, 22 school buildings sustained over 90 percent damage due to fires, including 11 classrooms and offices, five dormitory buildings, six teachers’ quarters, and a tool shed, resulting in more than $3.7 million in damages.
Sowane urged school management and the government to consider investing in property insurance to safeguard educational investments. He emphasized that recent school fires have led to significant losses and that ensuring fire safety is crucial when students are present.
The NFA is working closely with building and government architects to ensure all educational buildings comply with fire safety standards as outlined in Fiji’s National Building Code. They are also collecting data from the Ministry of Education to assess the age of school buildings, which will help tailor fire safety strategies to address risks associated with older structures.
The initiative to improve fire safety remains a priority, and further updates will follow as inspections progress and educational efforts advance.