In light of two recent school fires, the National Fire Authority (NFA) is ramping up inspections of schools across the nation to ensure adherence to fire safety regulations. NFA chief executive Puamau Sowane highlighted the pressing need for measures following the fires at Desbhandhu Vitogo Primary School in Lautoka on October 12 and Lomaivuna High School on October 6.
The NFA is also urging both government and school authorities to prioritize investments in fire insurance for their properties.
At Desbhandhu Vitogo Primary School, the fire resulted in the destruction of four classrooms, an office, a staff room, and a computer room. The concrete building, topped with a corrugated iron roof and aluminum doors, suffered 95 percent damage, with estimated repair costs reaching $220,000. Currently, students are attending classes in tents. The total estimated cost of damaged items, including a photocopier, laptops, and school supplies, amounts to $380,000.
An investigation is underway to ascertain the fire’s cause.
To tackle the underlying issues, NFA has started discussions with the Permanent Secretary for Education and the Minister of Education about incorporating a Fire Safety Curriculum in early education. Sowane noted that the objective is to equip children with knowledge about fire safety from an early age, enabling them to act appropriately during emergencies.
Regarding inspections, NFA is concentrating on high-risk schools, including those with boarding facilities, commercial kitchens, heritage-listed structures, and chemistry labs. So far, 25 schools have been inspected, including 12 major boarding schools with populations exceeding 500 students. These inspections were either requested by the schools or arranged by NFA as part of a high-risk assessment initiative.
The NFA is dedicated to inspecting all primary and secondary schools across Fiji’s three divisions, focusing on those more susceptible to fire hazards. Their aim is to reduce the occurrence of school fires by ensuring compliance with fire safety standards.
NFA statistics revealed that from January 2019 to October 15, 2024, over 90 percent damage was reported in 22 school buildings, including classrooms, dormitories, and teachers’ quarters, resulting in damages exceeding $3.7 million.
Sowane emphasized that school administrations and the government should seriously consider investing in fire insurance for school properties, noting that significant educational investments have been lost in recent school fires. He pointed out that the government’s funding for schools is substantial, and fire safety is essential, especially when children are in the buildings. Insurance would help safeguard investments in facilities and equipment.
Furthermore, the NFA is working closely with architects to ensure that all government buildings, especially schools, comply with the minimum fire safety requirements outlined in the National Building Code of Fiji. The authority is also gathering data from the Ministry of Education regarding the ages of certain school buildings to tailor fire safety recommendations based on the specific risks of older structures.
This initiative is a top priority for the NFA, which will continue to provide updates as inspections progress and fire safety education within schools is enhanced.