Families escape factory blaze

Yesterday morning began like any other for Vanuavatu, Lau, native Sikiti Fane, who resides in settlement behind the AutoWorld Trading Fiji Limited car yard in Vatuwaqa, Suva.

Ms Fane, 45, was one of the few residents whose house was affected by the fire that engulfed the second-hand car yard and showroom. She was in her kitchen at 6.30am, preparing tea for her children as they got ready for school, while her husband was about to head off to work.

Then, explosions erupted out of nowhere.

“At first, I thought it was the Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel conducting their military exercises at the Vatuwaqa shooting range,” she said.

But, when she looked outside, she saw black smoke rising from the nearby Autoworld car yard. Her husband immediately called the National Fire Authority (NFA).

Panic set in as the smoke grew thicker and the flames spread.

“We rushed out without bringing anything. The only things we have now are the clothes we were wearing,” Ms Fane said.

On her way to find safety she saw the community’s oldest resident, a 70-year-old woman, in front of her. The elderly woman, already sick, was struggling to breathe as the smoke closed in.

“I just knew I had to help. The neighbors and I got her out quickly before it was too late,” she said.

“We were just making tea, getting ready for the day, and in minutes everything was gone. When I think about it now, I realized how many people went through the same situation as us.”

What struck Ms Fane most was how suddenly life had changed for her family.

“Our priority was the safety of residents,” she said.

A fire officer at the scene said: “Our teams responded immediately, but the intensity of the fire made containment even more challenging.”

NFA chief executive officer Puamau Sowane confirmed the Vatuwaqa fire, saying on-site teams are investigating and detailed information is still pending.

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