A MIDNIGHT residential fire on October 12 that destroyed 85 per cent of a home along the Queens Highway in Lauwaki, Lautoka, highlights the importance of prompt emergency reporting, says National Fire Authority (NFA) chief executive officer Puamau Sowane.
Mr Sowane said the Lautoka Fire Control received an alert from the National Control Centre at 11.38pm on the day of the incident.
“Ten on-duty officers and two paramedic personnel reached the scene within five minutes, finding the three-bedroom cement and timber structure partially engulfed in flames,”he said.
“Crews swiftly established tank-supplied hose lines and breathing apparatus sets, cutting off external electrical power from the mains and extinguishing the flames by 0030 hours before transitioning to intensive hotspot cooling.”
Mr Sowane praised the tactical execution of the responding teams.
“Our brigade responded rapidly under clear conditions, deploying two appliances and establishing immediate water lines that successfully contained the fire and protected surrounding areas.”
Mr Sowane said the property was occupied by tenant who managed to escape unharmed through the back door after waking up to the fire. He subsequently alerted both the police and the NFA Command Centre.
“The tenant’s quick thinking in escaping safely through the back door and alerting our command center averted potential tragedy.”
Mr Sowane said that the insurance status of the structure remains unconfirmed.
“No injuries were recorded, though structural damages are pegged at $55,000. Fire investigators are currently on-site to determine the origin and cause of the blaze.”
The scene of the fire at Lauwaki village, Lautoka on October 15, 2026.Picture: NATIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY.
