A SERIES of fires occurring while homes were occupied has sparked fresh concerns from the National Fire Authority.
A recent incident in Volivoli, Rakiraki, where a house fire involved four people who escaped serious injuries was highlighted by NFA CEO Puamau Sowane who labelled the near death experience was ‘extremely concerning’.
“The fact that a fire of this magnitude started while occupants were asleep highlights how dangerously vulnerable families are during the night,” Mr Sowane said.
“We are fortunate there was no loss of life, but the risk was very real.”
The fire that occurred around 1.24am completely destroyed the five bedroom house built from timber.
Mr Sowane said fires involving timber structures could escalate within minutes, leaving very little time for occupants to respond.
“When homes are built with combustible materials like timber, fire spreads aggressively and unpredictably. Without early warning systems, occupants may not have enough time to escape.
“This is a serious concern for us, especially in residential areas where such construction is common.”
The NFA CEO said the growing number of significant fire incidents was placing increasing concern on the authority particularly those occurring during late-night hours.
“We are seeing a pattern of fires occurring at times when families are most vulnerable.
“This must be addressed through stronger awareness, preparedness, and the installation of basic life-saving devices.”
