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 intervention after incidents at Desbhandhu Vitogo Primary School in Lautoka on October 12 and Lomaivuna High School on October 6.
The NFA is urging government officials and school administrations to prioritize investing in fire insurance for their facilities.
At Desbhandhu Vitogo Primary School, the fire completely destroyed four classrooms, an office, a staff room, and a computer room. The concrete structure, fitted with a corrugated iron roof and aluminum doors, suffered 95 percent damage, with estimated repair costs around $220,000. In the meantime, students are attending classes in tents. The total damage, including items lost in the fire, reached approximately $380,000.
Damaged property included essential items such as a photocopier, laptops, projectors, computer sets, tablets, stationery, and appliances totaling around $160,000. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.
Addressing broader concerns, the NFA has begun discussions with the Permanent Secretary for Education and the Minister of Education to incorporate a Fire Safety Curriculum in early education. This initiative aims to teach children about fire safety from a young age, preparing them to react appropriately in emergencies.
The authority is focusing its inspections on high-risk schools, especially those with boarding facilities, commercial kitchens, outdated classroom blocks, or chemistry labs. So far, NFA has inspected 25 schools, including 12 major boarding schools on Viti Levu and Taveuni, each with student populations exceeding 500. These inspections were undertaken based on requests from schools or as part of NFA’s high-risk assessment strategy.
Mr. Sowane stated that the NFA is dedicated to inspecting all primary and secondary schools throughout Fiji, prioritizing those more susceptible to fire hazards. The objective is to reduce the frequency of school fires by ensuring compliance with fire safety standards.
According to NFA statistics, between January 2019 and October 15, 2024, 22 schools nationwide experienced fires resulting in at least 90 percent damage. This included 11 classrooms and offices, five dormitory buildings, six teachers’ quarters, and a tool shed, with total damage costs exceeding $3.7 million.
Mr. Sowane urged school administrators and the central government to seriously consider investing in fire insurance to protect school properties. He noted that substantial investments in education have been jeopardized due to recent school fires.
He emphasized the importance of safeguarding government investments in educational facilities to ensure fire safety, especially when students are present. Insurance could provide crucial protection for buildings, office equipment, and other essential resources.
Furthermore, the NFA is collaborating with building and government architects to make sure all government buildings, especially schools, comply with the fire safety requirements established in the National Building Code of Fiji. They are also collecting data from the Ministry of Education regarding the ages of specific school buildings to tailor fire safety recommendations based on the risks associated with older structures.
This initiative is a top priority, and the NFA will continue to provide updates as they advance their inspections and fire safety education initiatives in schools.