Thirty-five people were rendered homeless in three separate fire incidents over two days, raising the National Fire Authority’s concerns on the number of recent residential fires.
On Thursday, February 4, 20 people – three families – lost their homes within a span of nine hours.
In the first incident, a family of seven lost their home to a fire at Muana Village in Toga, Rewa.
The NFA believes the fire started from the back of the house while everyone was in the living room.
In the second incident on the evening of the same day, a building housing two flats – occupied by two families at Kasavu in Nausori – was destroyed in a fire. The first flat housed 6 adults and 3 children while the second flat had 2 adults and 2 children.
And the day before (Wednesday, February 3), 15 people were displaced when they lost their four-bedroom home at Siberia in Labasa.
NFA chief executive officer Puamau Sowane said it was sad to see this happening, particularly during these trying times when people were trying to recover from two major tropical cyclones and floods.
“These fire incidents have left people homeless and vulnerable. It is really shocking to see people losing their valuables to fire,” Mr Sowane said.
“These fires could have been prevented if people are careful and take every precaution in and around their homes to prevent such incidents.
“We cannot take fire safety lightly. We urge all Fijians to take fire safety seriously and ensure their homes are fire-safe.”
Mr Sowane also urged parents and guardians to closely supervise their children at all times.
NFA investigators are now working to determine the cause of those fire incidents.
