109 Years of History Goes Up in Flames
According to the preliminary report, firefighters were at the scene at 8.36am after they received a call at 8.29am through the 910-toll-free line.
Wednesday 28 February 2024 | 14:56
The Defence Club at Gordon Street, Suva, on February 27, 2024. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga
The Defence Club, an iconic and historic landmark in Suva, was destroyed in fire yesterday morning.
The 109-year-old Defence Club of Fiji was founded in 1915 as a gentlemen’s club, just before World War 1 broke out. The building contained memories of Fiji’s colonial past.
Police are working with the National Fire Authority (NFA) to determine the cause of the fire.
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The cost of damage is yet to be determined as investigations is in its initial stages.
According to the preliminary report, firefighters were at the scene at 8.36am after they received a call at 8.29am through the 910-toll-free line.
The investigation into the cause of the fire will start today.
The Defence Club at Gordon Street, Suva, on February 27, 2024. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga
History of Defence Club
According to the Defence Club website, the first President of the Defence Club was Sir E.B Sweet- Escott.
In the following 92 years of the club’s existence, other Presidents include such notable personalities as: Sir Len Usher in 1950, Sir Edward Cakobau in 1967, Joe Campbell in 1973, Rod Jepsen in 1990 and Leo Smith in 1995.
Throughout World War 1 and WW2, Club membership grew as did its strong military presence which was evident in its membership, and which was to become the hallmark of the Defence Club.
Today, members of the club came from all parts of the world and were no longer mainly servicemen.
They include people from all different sections of life such as entrepreneurs, business executives, corporate institutions, civil servants and others.
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