The National Fire Authority (NFA) is raising serious concerns over the recent increase in the number of residential fires.

Seeing a spike in residential fire occurrences, the NFA is urging the public to start taking fire safety seriously and identify the risks around their homes that could start a fire. 

NFA is also urging the public to take advantage of their community awareness programs and contact their nearest fire station for any advice or assistance that they may need to identify the fire risk factors around their home or property.

Last night seven (7) people were left homeless after they lost their two-bedroom house at Tamavua Village.  At 9.27 pm, the Suva Fire Station was alerted of the fire and the fire crew responded immediately. Upon arrival at the scene, the fire team saw a wooden and corrugated iron house fully engulfed in flames. The fire team quickly used two deliveries of water from the fire truck to extinguish the fire.

In another fire incident, a family lost their home in a fire at Lololevu, Vatukoula in Tavua last night.

At 8.04 pm, Tavua Fire Station was alerted of the fire incident and the crew responded immediately.  Upon arrival, the NFA Tavua Fire team found the Vatukoula Fire Rescue Team at the scene extinguishing the fire. The Tavua fire team quickly established one delivery of water from the fire truck and worked with the Vatukoula Team to extinguish the fire.  It is believed that the family was away attending a church service when the fire had started. 

 In another fire incident on Sunday, 19^th July 2020, Labasa Fire Station attended to a fire incident that destroyed a two-bedroom house at Mani Road in Bulileka, Labasa.  At 03.28 am, the Labasa Fire Station was alerted of the fire and the fire crew responded immediately.  Upon arrival at the scene, the Fireteam saw a wooden and corrugated iron house fully engulfed in flames.  The house was vacant when the fire had started and it is believed the owner of the house was in Suva to visit his family.

NFA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Puamau Sowane, says the fire last night in Tamavua is the third residential fire within a span of only 3 days and this raises a lot of concerns.

“The increase in residential fire incidents indicate that people are not taking fire safety seriously around their homes and properties.”

“Fire safety is not only NFA’s responsibility but everyone’s responsibility. People should ensure that they observe fire safety precautions in their homes to prevent the unnecessary occurrence of fires.”

“We continue to remind members of the public about fire safety but we still see fire incidents nearly every week added Mr. Sowane.”

“We have noticed that most fire incidents occurring have electrical related causes. Most of these fire incidents could have been prevented if people are conscious about fire safety related to electrical wiring and usage of electrical appliances in their homes.

Mr. Sowane also raised concerns about the importance of people calling the NFA as soon as they see smoke or fire.

“People should know their emergency numbers so that in case of any emergency they can receive help in time.” We note the frustration of the members of the public in the event of a fire but we rely on them to inform us when there is a fire.

We urge the public to call on the toll the free number 910 as soon as they see smoke or fire to give NFA and its Firefighters the best and quickest opportunity to respond to the fire incident.”

Mr. Sowane says the situation involving the Corona Virus (COVID-19) is unprecedented and to lose everything in a fire during these trying times is just brutal.

CEO Sowane encourages every member of the Fiji community to help prevent any fire incident as it adds to greater economic losses.

“We will continue to advocate that fire safety is everyone’s responsibility and that simple fire safety precautions should be strictly adhered to at all times to avoid unnecessary fire-related damages to properties.

Fire investigations are underway to determine the causes of the above fire incidents.

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