NFA probes cause of residential fire in Suva

The National Fire Authority (NFA) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a residential property on Johnson Street, Toorak, Suva, on Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement released yesterday, Acting Chief Executive Officer Joel Israel said the damage was estimated at $15,000.

The property was insured with Wesrumm Insurance.

“The fire is suspected to have been caused by a defect in a cooking appliance, possibly a kerosene or gas stove. However, a full investigation will be conducted to determine the official cause,” Mr Israel said.

He said the structure posed significant challenges for firefighters.

“The building had a concrete foundation and perimeter, with timber framing and flooring, and Oregon wall linings internally. It was one of Suva’s older timber structures, dating back to the late 1960s. Despite the challenges, crews successfully extinguished the blaze by 7:06 pm,” he said.

Mr. Israel expressed gratitude that the family of 10 living in the house escaped safely and that there were no fatalities.

With assistance from Energy Fiji Limited and the Water Authority of Fiji, the fire was extinguished, and the matter has been handed over to Police for further investigation.

“Please remain vigilant when using cooking appliances, ensure they are properly maintained, and never leave cooking unattended,” he said.

“We remain committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Fijians through fire prevention, public education, and professional emergency response services.”