A family suffered a devastating loss when their flat was destroyed by a fire on Nasoki Street in Lautoka around midday yesterday. The family remains in shock and has chosen not to comment on the incident at this time. Neighbors who witnessed the blaze expressed their relief that no one was injured.
The National Fire Authority (NFA) responded quickly, preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent homes. According to NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane, fire officers arrived at the scene at 12:03 PM to find a concrete and wooden structure containing three flats completely engulfed in flames.
“They immediately set up a delivery of two lengths from the tank supply to stop the fire from further spreading towards nearby houses just meters away,” Mr. Sowane stated. The fire was extinguished with assistance from a fire hydrant at Vitogo Parade, and crews remained on-site until 4 PM tackling remaining hotspots.
The property, owned by a 70-year-old woman, was home to two tenants in addition to the family affected. The building suffered complete structural damage, with the cost of the loss still being assessed.