The National Fire Authority (NFA) Chief Executive Officer Mr. Puamau Sowane is raising concerns on the number of fires that occurred within 24- hours around the country earlier this week.

In less than 24-hours period, the NFA attended to four fire incidents of which two were residential fire incidents and 2 were commercial.

After a spike in recent number of fires, CEO Sowane is sending a stern message to all home owners and business communities to be more careful and be considerate to their family members and neighbors.

“It is just worrying to see these fire incidents and people losing their businesses and homes in fire incidents particularly when homeowners are setting fire to their own homes and properties,” he said.

Records reveal that 00% of fire incidents recorded 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      In the first fire incident attended by NFA on Monday 9^th April 2022, a one-bedroom house was destroyed at Nawi Settlement in Bua. The Nabouwalu Fire Station attended the fire incident after they were alerted of the incident at 9.33 am. Upon arrival at the scene, the fire team found a one-bedroom wooden house fully engulfed in flames. The team quickly used one delivery of water from the fire truck to extinguish the fire.

It is understood the house was vacant at the time of the fire incident as the owner and his wife were in the farm and their two children were in school when the fire started.

In another fire incident, a two-bedroom house was destroyed in a fire incident at Koromakawa, Vuniyasi Road in Nadi yesterday morning. At 7.31 am, the Nadi Fire station was alerted of the fire incident and the fire team responded immediately. Upon arrival at the scene, the fire team saw a partially timber and corrugated iron house on fire. The team quickly used one delivery of water from the fire truck to extinguish the fire and stop its spread to other houses just meters away.

It is believed the house was occupied by a woman, her two children and a tenant when the fire started.

In another fire incident, a building housing a cafeteria and an office at Fiji Maritime School was destroyed early morning yesterday. At 1.06 am the Suva Fire Station was alerted of the fire incident and the fire team responded immediately. Upon arrival at the scene, the fire team saw the wooden cafeteria on fire. The team quickly used one delivery of water from the fire truck to extinguish the fire. Despite strong winds early morning, the fire teams quick action enabled them to control the fire and stop its spread to other parts of the building. The building belonged to Fiji National University.

In another fire incident, the Navua Fire team responded to a fire incident at Dharshan Complex in Navua Town.  At 6.03 pm, the Navua Fire Station was alerted of the incident and the fire team responded immediately. Upon arrival at the scene, the fire team saw fire in the kitchen area of Diwashna Creamy Creations Cake shop. The team quickly used one delivery of water from the fire truck to extinguish the fire and stop its spread to other adjacent shops.

It is understood the fire had started from the stove as a result of unattended cooking.

Mr. Sowane also emphasizes to building owners and business operators to ensure full compliance to the fire safety aspects outlined in the Fiji Building Code, as well as take heed of the fire safety precautions and messages by NFA which will assist greatly in early fire mitigation or prevention of unnecessary damages due to fire.

The National Fire Authority urges all Fijians to be alert with their surroundings and immediately call the toll-free fire emergency number 910 if they see any suspicious smoke or fire before attempting to put it out, so that firefighters can respond in the quickest time possible.

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