Incendiary fires have become the second most common cause of property fires in Fiji, as the National Fire Authority (NFA) reports a 43% increase in the overall cost of fire damage in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
An incendiary fire is one that is intentionally ignited in a location where it should not be, often involving the use of accelerants to spread the fire.
One such incendiary incident occurred last month when a fire destroyed the Old CWM Hospital Birthing Unit on Amy Street, Toorak, Suva. Investigations found the blaze was deliberately started, causing complete structural loss and an estimated $80,000 in damage.
“It is a fire caused by human action with the intent to cause harm or damage, and it differs from accidental fires,” said NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane. “Incendiary fires are often associated with arson, which is the crime of deliberately setting fire to property.”
According to the NFA, from 2019 to 2023, the top three causes of property fires were electrical faults, arson or suspicious activity, and unattended cooking. However, in 2024 and 2025, the trend shifted to electrical faults, incendiary fires, and arson or suspicious causes.
Between January and June 2025, the NFA recorded 85 property fires, a slight increase from 81 in the same period last year. The estimated cost of damage, however, rose significantly from $7.37 million to $10.56 million.
The fire at the Rups Big Bear warehouse, caused by an electrical fault, resulted in complete loss of the building and an estimated $1.2 million in damage.
The number of people displaced by fires also increased, from 566 in the first half of 2024 to 652 in 2025.
Residential homes accounted for 95% of all fire incidents in both years. Other affected properties last year included a mosque, a school, a gymnasium, and a storeroom; this year, two schools and two businesses were involved.
The number of vacant homes destroyed by fire rose from six in 2024 to nine this year — a 50% increase.
“We have cautioned members of the public to keep their neighbours, families, or the nearest police post informed if they leave their homes for whatever reason, even for a short time,” Sowane said.
