Fire chief urges caution ahead of festive season
NFA chief executive officer Puamau Sowane reported that the Suva Fire Station crew arrived at the scene at 2:49am to find a complex, which included a restaurant, a kava store, and an automotive spare parts shop, engulfed in flames.
Monday 14 October 2024 | 14:17
National Fire Authority (NFA) Chief Executive Officer, Puamau Sowane at NFA’s headquarters, Argo Street, Walu Bay, Suva on October 20, 2022. Photo: Jone Salusalu
The National Fire Authority (NFA) has urged the public and business owners to exercise caution as the festive season approaches.
This warning comes in light of a significant industrial fire that occurred on Friday morning at the Auto City Place in Raiwaqa, Suva.
NFA chief executive officer Puamau Sowane reported that the Suva Fire Station crew arrived at the scene at 2:49am to find a complex, which included a restaurant, a kava store, and an automotive spare parts shop, engulfed in flames.
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Firefighters from the Valelevu
Fire Station in Nasinu also assisted in extinguishing the fire.
The firefighting efforts were successful, with crews managing to put out the blaze within an hour and preventing it from spreading to adjacent buildings.
However, the building sustained 80 per cent structural damage, and the estimated cost of the damage has yet to be determined.
Investigations are expected to start shortly to ascertain the probable cause of the fire.
As the festive season approaches, Mr Sowane reiterated the importance of fire safety.
He urged business owners to ensure that all unused power points and machines are switched off and to secure windows and doors to mitigate fire risks.
"These are all simple measures that anyone can implement, but they can significantly reduce the chances of unwanted fires and subsequent property loss," he emphasised.
Feedback: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj
