Villagers put out house fire before firefighters arrive

The Urata community in Savusavu is being praised for its quick and coordinated response in extinguishing a house fire last Sunday evening, preventing it from spreading and causing further damage.

Urata Village headman Aluvereti Tabacala said the fire broke out between 6pm and 7pm, when a villager rushed to his home to alert him.

Mr Tabacala, 64, said: “I ran out, yelling ‘fire’ repeatedly to alert all the villagers and instructed them to bring buckets of water from anywhere they could find and keep pouring to stop the fire."

“It was through the fire warden training I received while working at the Australian High Commission from 2010 to 2021 that I learnt how to stop fires.”

Urata Village headman Aluvereti Tabacala in Suva on May 6, 2026.

Photo: Shratika Naidu

The former military officer said youths played an active role, applying knowledge and skills gained during a fire awareness programme in the village.

At approximately 7:10pm, the National Fire Authority (NFA) station in Savusavu received a call from a concerned resident reporting a house fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed the blaze had already been extinguished through the swift actions of villagers, led by the headman and supported by community fire wardens.

The fire affected an outside shed containing household appliances and bedding, with damage estimated at about eight per cent.

No injuries or casualties were reported.

NFA chief executive officer Puamau Sowane acknowledged the community’s quick response and highlighted the importance of trained fire wardens.

“This incident clearly demonstrates the value of community preparedness and awareness,” Mr Sowane said.

“The presence of a trained warden and the coordinated effort by villagers using the bucket relay method helped prevent what could have escalated into a more serious structural fire.”

He emphasised the importance of early intervention and vigilance in rural communities.

“While we are relieved that no lives were lost, this serves as a reminder that fires can spread rapidly if not addressed immediately,” he said.

“We strongly encourage all communities to remain alert and to take fire safety seriously at all times.”

Mr Sowane reiterated the NFA’s commitment to strengthening community resilience through its Community Fire Warden training programme, which continues to be rolled out nationwide.

“These programmes are designed to equip community members with basic firefighting skills, fire prevention knowledge and emergency response techniques,” he said.

“We urge all communities to participate, as they play a vital role in safeguarding lives and property, especially in remote areas where response times may be longer.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the scene has been handed over to Police.