Seven Fires, One Road Crash Rescue in 72 Hours: NFA Urges Urgent Fire Safety

The National Fire Authority (NFA) is urging the public to stay alert and prioritise fire safety following seven property fires and a road accident rescue within just three days.

Between Friday and Sunday (July 25–27), firefighters responded to a series of fire emergencies across the country, with total damages estimated in the millions. The most serious was the $8 million blaze at the Gokal Group warehouse on Amy Street, Suva, on Saturday, which also left a female firefighter injured.

NFA CEO Puamau Sowane said investigations are underway into all fire incidents and warned that the frequency of house fires is deeply concerning.

“The NFA is urging caution and fire safety awareness and prevention to all individual homeowners,” he said.

“What concerns the Authority is that such fires continue to happen despite the amount of awareness being carried out by fire officers... via television, radio and newspapers, but it seems these messages are falling on deaf ears."

He added: “It is devastating to lose your life’s savings and hard work in a matter of minutes, so we urge members of the public to be vigilant in and around their homes."

FIRE INCIDENTS

Sunday, Lautoka (7.52am): Fire at Johnson Road destroyed a family home, causing $90,000 in damage.

Sunday, Nadi (1.21am): A one-bedroom vacant house in Korovuto was gutted; damage estimated at $40,000.

Saturday, Nausori (9.43pm): A home at Namono Village, Bau Road, sustained 99% structural damage.

Friday, Narere (11.22am): A three-bedroom home at River Road was destroyed while the owner was at work and his children at school.

Friday, Kumi Village (8.14am): A 67-year-old’s home burned down during breakfast. Five people escaped unharmed.

Friday, Kinoya (3.20am): A 26-year-old’s home was completely destroyed, with damage pegged at $20,000.

Except for the Gokal warehouse fire, no injuries were reported in the other incidents.

ROAD ACCIDENT RESCUE (RAR)

On Friday morning (July 25), Nadi firefighters were called to Nawaka Junction after a collision between an oil tanker and a hybrid taxi. The crew remained on scene for several hours to assist in draining and cleaning diesel fuel before traffic flow could resume. No injuries were reported.

PUBLIC REMINDER

Mr Sowane reminded Fijians to practise simple fire safety habits.

“We are urging people to store flammable items in a safe place, place mosquito coils on non-flammable surfaces and switch off power points when not in use."

He also emphasised the importance of calling 910 immediately when fire breaks out.

“Please call us at the first sign of a fire before trying to put it out yourself... The quicker we receive the call, the quicker we respond.”

As of July 29 this year, 100 property fires have been reported — the same number recorded during the same period in 2024.