Fires have destroyed $5.8 million in properties over the past month with 93 per cent in homes and the rest were commercial properties.

National Fire Authority chief executive officer Puamau Sowane said this was worrying and the NFA would be using the law to bring people to task.

He said from January to October this year there had been 95 structural fires nationwide, 34 in the Central Division, 45 in the Western Division and 16 in the Northern Division.

He said of the 95 fires, 88 had been residential.

He emphasised that most fires had been through the negligence of people.

$10,000 fines

NFA is advising the general public against careless burning of rubbish, grass and shrubs outside or at your backyard. 

Mr Sowane said it was an offence to intentionally burn household garbage in a municipality area and the fines can go right up to $10,000.

Water pressure challenge

Mr Sowane said a major challenge while fighting fires  was the low pressure in fire hydrants.

He said this hindered the effectiveness of any firefighting operations.

“Most fire hydrants available do not meet the required pressure to fight fires effectively,” he said.

“We understand that the increase in urban drift has an impact on this and has put on additional strain on our water supply system.”

He said NFA was working closely with Water Authority of Fiji  (WAF) to address this issue.

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