CEO NFA: Fire Safety This Diwali Is Imperative

National Fire Authority (NFA) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Puamau Sowane has advised all Fijians to take necessary precautions when it comes to fire safety as Fiji approaches the festival of lights, Diwali.

Mr Sowane in his Diwali safety message reiterated that while the public are preparing to decorate their homes during this festive season, it is imperative that the general public understand the basic factors that would provoke a fire.

He said it is common knowledge that the three main elements to start a fire is the presence of heat, fuel and oxygen.

“The presence and a good mixture of these three elements will cause a fire that can escalate depending on the volume or quantity of each element at any point in time,” Mr Sowane said.

“At our homes, we already have sufficient supply of oxygen under atmospheric pressure, we have combustible materials all around our homes and during Diwali we are introducing heat in the form of lit candles, oil lamps, prayer diyas, mosquito coils and electrical heat.”

Mr Sowane highlighted that most house fire incidents are attributed from the amount of combustible materials inside the house which significantly increase the fire loads in that particular building.

“Our advice as you prepare to celebrate Diwali, is to discard what is supposed to be discarded and relocate volatile basic needs such as kerosene, benzene, building paints

and such to a safer storage place away from your house,” Mr Sowane said.

“We have no one else to blame in a fire incident because a fire cannot start by itself.”

Mr Sowane said NFA will be working closely with the Department of Mineral Resources to monitor the situations during Diwali and ensure the people’s lives are protect- ed from the dangers of a fire.

“We had attended to tragedy struck homes in the past during Diwali, so please don’t allow a fire to spoil your happiness during this festive season,” Mr Sowane said.

“Home owners please keep vigilant and ensure a joyful and fire- safe celebration.”

Trend/Statistics

According to NFA’s records, since January this year to the month of September, in the span of over nine months, There has been :

• A total of 101 structural fire incidents compared to 87 fire incidents in the same period last year.
• Of the 101 fires recorded, 94 were residential fires and seven were commercial fire incidents.
• September alone recorded 17 fire incidents which is very high compared to all other months.
• In the past 8 years, the NFA has recorded a total of 1131 structural fire incidents and the highest incidents were recorded in the year 2018 which had 158 incidents and the lowest was recorded in the year 2015 which had 127 incidents.
• As per the statistics, there was a slight decrease in the numbers of structural fires after 2018.

Story by: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj