A spate of four residential fires causing an estimated $150,000 in damages has prompted the National Fire Authority (NFA) to caution homeowners to exercise greater vigilance.
On Thursday, July 25, the Nadi Fire Station was alerted at 2:47 PM by the Sigatoka Fire Station about a structural fire incident in Tagitagi. Upon arrival at 3:32 PM, the crew discovered a three-bedroom corrugated iron and timber house completely ablaze. The brigade quickly contained and extinguished the fire, though the house was entirely destroyed, resulting in an estimated $60,000 in damages.
In another incident, the Lautoka Fire Station received a call at 9:20 AM last Friday from the Western Police Command Centre concerning a structural fire in Vitogo, Lautoka. The crew responded and reached the scene at 9:28 AM to find a three-bedroom corrugated iron and timber house fully engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished by 9:52 AM.
The NFA’s Command Centre received another report about a property fire in Wai Settlement, Wailoku, at 4:11 PM last Friday, July 26. The Suva Fire Station responded and arrived at the scene at 4:22 PM, finding a house fully ablaze. The fire was extinguished by 4:48 PM. A couple and their grandson were in the house at the time and managed to escape to safety, although the woman sustained burns while rescuing her grandson. The family was taken to Nuffield Health Centre for observation.
Additionally, the NFA’s Rakiraki Fire Station received a call at 2:40 PM last Saturday about a structural fire in Balabala Village, Tokaimalo, Ra. A team responded and arrived at 3:37 PM to find a five-bedroom wooden home fully engulfed. Initial investigations indicated the fire originated from a kitchen fireplace and subsequently spread, causing around 90 percent damage to the property and an estimated loss of $30,000.
The recent incidents have raised the NFA’s concern, urging homeowners to be more cautious to prevent such devastating fires.