The National Fire Authority (NFA) has issued a warning to the public and business owners to be vigilant as the festive season approaches. This advisory follows a major industrial fire that broke out on Friday morning at the Auto City Plaza in Raiwaqa, Suva.
According to NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane, the Suva Fire Station team responded to the incident at 2:49 AM, discovering that a complex housing a restaurant, a kava store, and an automotive spare parts shop was ablaze. Firefighters from the Valelevu Fire Station in Nasinu also participated in the firefighting efforts.
The teams successfully extinguished the fire within an hour, managing to contain it and preventing further spread to nearby structures. Unfortunately, the building suffered significant damage, with approximately 80 percent of its structure affected, and the total cost of the damages is still being assessed.
Investigations to determine the fire’s likely cause are set to commence soon. With the festive season nearing, Sowane highlighted the critical need for fire safety measures. He urged business owners to turn off unused power points and machinery and to secure their windows and doors to minimize fire risks.
“Implementing these straightforward measures can greatly reduce the likelihood of fires and the potential for property loss,” he emphasized.