Two families are homeless after their homes were destroyed in two separate fire incidents this week.
No one was injured in either of the two incidents – one reported in Ra and the other in Nepani, as investigations continue.
Fire personnel arrived at Tova Settlement, Nakorotubu, Ra around 10.30am yesterday to find a 3-bedroom lean-to wooden structure fully engulfed in flames and the structure had collapsed.
The crew managed to extinguish the fire and stop it from spreading to nearby houses, but it left behind a homeless family of three.
In the second house fire incident yesterday, National Fire Authority (NFA) Command Centre received a call at 5.08 pm that a house was on fire at Damu Junction in Nepani. The NFA Valelevu Fire Station crew was dispatched immediately. Upon arrival at 5.13pm, the fire crew found a residential property lean-to house fully engulfed in flames.
The owner of the house was away at work whilst her son was at home at the time of the fire. The suspected cause of the fire is believed to have arisen from the kerosene stove. NFA investigations will soon be conducted to ascertain the cause of the fire.
NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane reiterated the need to practice good fire safety measures in homes.
“There have been many fire incidents attended by NFA where vacant homes were destroyed in fire. Every home owner needs to be vigilant and keep a watch on all fire safety practices in their homes whether vacant or occupied,” he said.
“Fire threatens everyone’s lives and properties and we should also be mindful of our neighboring homes and properties. I urge the public to identify the fire hazards in their homes and to seek advice from the team at your nearest fire station. We are always here to help and we urge the public to adhere to all precautionary measures and avoid such catastrophic incidents from happening.”
The National Fire Authority urges everyone to be alert to their surroundings and immediately call the toll-free fire emergency number 910 if they see any suspicious smoke or fire before attempting to put it out so that firefighters can respond in the quickest time possible.
Photo: Archive
