The total cost of 84 structural fire incidents over the past eight months was estimated at $11.8 million, according to National Fire Authority (NFA) chief executive officer Puamau Sowane.
He said this was recorded from the month of January to August.
Of the 84 structural fire incidents, 31 occurred in the Central/ Eastern divisions, 41 in the Western Division and 12 in the Northern Division.
He said 94 per cent fire incidents were from residential and 6 per cent were from commercial fire incidents.
“Similarly, in the month of September this year (22 days), NFA has recorded 14 fire incidents of which eight were in the Central Division and six in the Western Division,” Mr Sowane said.
“With total of 14 structural fires within 22 days in comparison to an average of nine structural fires in the financial year 2020/2021 and 11 months for the 2021/2022 financial year.
“We have noticed a significant increase in fires on vacant houses. “On a small scale survey, of the 14 structural fires in the month of September, 65 per cent (nine) of the homes were vacant.
“The NFA has been advising every Fijian to do a thorough check in and around homes for any fire hazard before leaving your houses.”
