Fire leaves Waiqele property completely destroyed

A home near Waiqele Airport in Labasa was completely destroyed by fire on Saturday afternoon.

No one was inside the house at the time and no injuries or deaths were reported, according to the National Fire Authority (NFA).

The Labasa Fire Station received an emergency call at about 1.02pm on August 22 reporting a property fire at Airport Back Road, Waiqele, near the Waiqele Airport Tower.

Two fire appliances and an ambulance were sent to the scene.

Firefighters arrived at about 1.30pm and found the property fully engulfed in flames and burnt down.

They used water from a fire appliance to extinguish the remaining fire.

The NFA said the timber and corrugated iron house had a concrete floor and electricity connection.

The approximately 10-metre by 15-metre property was occupied by relatives of the owner but was vacant when the fire started.

The NFA estimated the damage at 100 per cent.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

NFA chief executive officer Puamau Sowane said the incident showed how quickly a fire could destroy a home.

“Every fire that results in the loss of a home is a reminder of how quickly lives can be disrupted when a fire starts. A home can be destroyed within minutes, taking with it valuable belongings, memories and, most importantly, a place of safety for families,” Mr Sowane said.

He urged families to make fire prevention part of their daily routine.

“We urge families to make fire safety a priority in their homes. Ensure electrical connections are safe, avoid overloading power points, never leave cooking unattended, keep matches and lighters away from children, and ensure everyone in the household knows what to do in the event of a fire,” he said.

Mr Sowane also stressed the importance of reporting fires quickly.

“If you see a fire, report it immediately by calling the NEmergency Number 910. The earlier the NFA is alerted, the sooner our firefighters can respond. We cannot prevent every fire, but through responsible fire safety practices and early reporting, we can reduce the risk of fires and minimise the loss of homes and property,” he said.