Following two recent school fires, the National Fire Authority (NFA) is ramping up inspections of schools across the country to ensure adherence to fire safety regulations. NFA chief executive Puamau Sowane highlighted the urgent need for these measures after fires occurred at Desbhandhu Vitogo Primary School in Lautoka on October 12 and Lomaivuna High School on October 6.
The NFA is also calling on government and school authorities to prioritize the investment of fire insurance for their properties.
In Lautoka, 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 structure, which had a corrugated iron roof and aluminum doors, suffered 95 percent damage, amounting to an estimated $220,000 in structural damage alone. Students are currently being taught in tents. The total estimated damage, including school supplies and equipment, reached $380,000, with items lost valued at around $160,000.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.
In response to ongoing safety concerns, Mr. Sowane stated that the NFA has begun discussions with the Permanent Secretary for Education and the Minister of Education about incorporating a Fire Safety Curriculum in early education. This initiative aims to educate children on fire safety from a young age, enabling them to respond effectively in emergencies.
The NFA is prioritizing inspections of high-risk schools, particularly those with boarding facilities, commercial kitchens, historical buildings, and chemistry labs. To date, 25 schools have been inspected, including 12 major boarding schools located in Viti Levu and Taveuni, each with populations exceeding 500 students. These inspections were either requested by the schools or scheduled by NFA as part of their high-risk assessment approach.
Mr. Sowane expressed the NFA’s commitment to inspecting all primary and secondary schools throughout Fiji, focusing on those more susceptible to fire risks. The goal is to reduce the frequency of school fires by ensuring compliance with fire safety standards.
NFA statistics indicate that from January 2019 to October 15, 2024, 22 school buildings sustained over 90 percent damage from fires, including classrooms, dormitories, and teacher accommodations, leading to losses exceeding $3.7 million.
Mr. Sowane stressed the importance of school administrations and the central government investing in fire insurance for school properties, noting that significant investments in education have been lost in recent fires.
The government’s substantial financial commitment to schools emphasizes the need for fire safety, particularly when students are present. Insurance could safeguard that investment in buildings, offices, and educational equipment.
Moreover, the NFA is working closely with building and government architects to ensure that all government structures, especially schools, comply with the minimum fire safety standards outlined in the National Building Code of Fiji. The NFA is also collecting data on the ages of school buildings from the Ministry of Education to better address fire safety risks associated with older structures.
This initiative is a priority for the NFA, which will continue to provide updates as inspections progress and as fire safety education initiatives are implemented in schools.