Eight residential structures have been destroyed or severely damaged in five separate fires across Rakiraki, Labasa, Nadi and Tavua over two days, with at least five people left homeless.
The National Fire Authority says the incidents were reported on Friday and yesterday, with several homes completely destroyed and significant property losses recorded.
NFA says one of the fires occurred at Wairuku in Rakiraki on Friday, leaving five family members homeless after a three-bedroom concrete and timber house was destroyed.
They say firefighters used water from their fire trucks and a nearby fire hydrant to control the fire and stop it from spreading.
The Authority says the house sustained about 70 percent structural damage.
They say information gathered at the scene indicated that the owner's mother was at home looking after her grandchildren when the fire occurred, and she suffered minor injuries to her hands.
They say the house was uninsured, and the full cost of damage to the building and its contents is yet to be determined.
On the same day, firefighters responded to a fire in Namara, Labasa, where two vacant houses were completely destroyed.
NFA says one was a one-bedroom house, while the other had three bedrooms; both buildings were constructed using timber and corrugated iron and sustained 100 percent fire damage.
They say no injuries or deaths were reported, as both properties were vacant at the time.
Later that afternoon, firefighters attended a fire at Nawaicoba in Nadi, where a vacant six-bedroom concrete house with a corrugated iron roof was severely damaged.
The Authority says the building sustained an estimated 95 percent structural damage.
They say the house had reportedly been vacant for about two years, and the cost of damage is yet to be confirmed.
Two more fires were reported yesterday in Tavua and Labasa.
NFA says at Natolevu in Tavua, about 35 kilometres from the Tavua Fire Station, firefighters arrived to find a residential building completely destroyed, with the structure having collapsed.
They say the house had one bedroom, a toilet and a bathroom, with a concrete floor and corrugated iron walls and roofing.
They say the property was vacant at the time of the fire, and the damage was estimated at $15,000.
NFA says the property had no electricity supply from Energy Fiji Limited or water supply from the Water Authority of Fiji; it also did not have an approved building plan and was uninsured.
The fifth incident occurred at Dreketilailai, Bulileka, Labasa, where firefighters found a five-bedroom house fully engulfed in flames.
NFA says the brigade used water from its fire appliances and additional water supplies to extinguish the fire and deal with remaining hotspots.
They say the house was occupied by six people at the time and was completely destroyed.
They say the building was constructed using timber and corrugated iron and had electricity and water connections; it was uninsured, and no injuries or deaths were reported in the initial incident report.
The current accommodation arrangements for the six occupants are yet to be confirmed.
NFA says the full financial impact of the five fires is still being assessed, with damage costs yet to be established for several properties.
NFA CEO Puamau Sowane says five structural fires in just two days are deeply concerning and highlight the need for households and communities to take practical steps to prevent fires.
Sowane says the destruction of homes can leave families without shelter and create financial difficulties that may take a long time to overcome.
He is urging people to check their electrical installations regularly, avoid overloading power outlets and have electrical faults repaired by qualified electricians.
He is also reminding families never to leave cooking unattended and to keep flammable materials away from stoves and other heat sources.
The CEO says households should install smoke alarms where possible, test them regularly and develop an escape plan so all family members know how to get out safely during a fire.
He says people should identify at least two possible exits from their homes where possible and ensure doors and windows can be opened quickly in an emergency.
Sowane is also warning owners of vacant properties to secure their buildings, remove rubbish and other materials that could catch fire, and ensure electrical supplies are managed safely.
He says an empty house can still pose a fire risk to nearby properties and the wider community.
He is urging members of the public to report fires immediately rather than delay seeking help.
He says anyone who notices smoke, flames or signs of a fire should move to a safe location and call 910.
NFA says people should not attempt to fight a fire that is spreading or put themselves and others at risk.
They say investigations are continuing to establish the suspected causes of the five fires.
They say the causes have not yet been confirmed, and the public is being urged not to speculate while investigations are ongoing.
The Authority says fire prevention is a shared responsibility and that taking precautions, recognising hazards early and reporting emergencies promptly can help protect lives, homes and communities.
