Seven homeless after Lautoka fire

A family of seven has been left homeless after a fire destroyed their home at Bila Settlement in Lautoka during the early hours of Friday morning.

The National Fire Authority (NFA) said all occupants escaped unharmed after one of the children noticed flames coming from the kitchen area and alerted other family members.

The Lautoka Fire Station received a report of the fire at 2.30am through the National Command Centre and immediately dispatched two fire trucks, eight firefighters and two ambulance personnel to the scene.

Firefighters arrived at 2.47am to find the wooden house fully engulfed in flames.

The structure, which contained two bedrooms, a sitting room, kitchen and dining area, was extensively damaged by the blaze.

Crews quickly established a water supply and worked to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby homes. The fire was brought under control and extinguished by 3.05am.

As investigations continue into the cause of the fire, NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane expressed concern over the continued occurrence of residential fires around the country.

“While investigations into this incident are ongoing, we continue to see a concerning trend of fires originating from kitchen areas and electrical sources within homes,” Mr Sowane said.

“Unattended cooking remains one of the leading causes of residential fires, while overloaded power boards, damaged electrical wiring, and unsafe use of electrical appliances also pose significant fire risks.”

He said many house fires could be prevented through simple safety measures.

“Many of these incidents are preventable. We strongly urge families to never leave cooking unattended, to switch off electrical appliances when not in use, and to avoid overloading power outlets and extension cords.

“Simple precautions can save lives, protect property, and prevent families from experiencing devastating losses.”

Mr Sowane also encouraged homeowners to regularly inspect their electrical systems and ensure children understood basic fire safety measures and emergency procedures.

The NFA's Fire Investigation Team is expected to conduct a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the fire.