The National Fire Authority (NFA) is calling on people in the Western Division to avoid burning cane fields during the current dry spell conditions.

The advice comes after a house in Malamala settlement, Nadi, was destroyed last Saturday when flames from a burning cane field near the house went out of control.

NFA’s chief executive officer John O’Connor said confirmed that the house was vacant at the time of the incident.

“Members of the public, especially cane farmers, need to be cautious when burning their cane fields because the dry weather conditions can increase the chances of house fires,” he said.

“The same goes for burning rubbish in bushy areas because strong winds can help spread fires to homes and other properties,” he said.

A neighbour, Ponipate Rugu, said the fire had spread through the house in a matter of minutes.

“We were having devotion when we saw the cane field near the house on fire. After a few minutes we saw the fire had spread to the other parts of the house,” he said.

“The fire was so intense that it burned the electrical post near the house and everything surrounding it but luckily no one was inside the house when it happened.”

Feedback:  saloteq@fijisun.com.fj