People have been reminded about the importance of fire safety and how they can take extra precautions to avoid unwanted fire incidents during Diwali and into December.
145 structural fire incidents were recorded compared to 113 for the same period last year, which was an increase of 28 percent.
While speaking at the National Fire Authority Headquarters at Walu Bay, CEO, Sowane Puamau says that the highest number of structural fires occurred in the West with 69 structural fires and the Central Division with 55 structural fires while the Northern Division recorded 21 structural fires.
Puamau says of the 145 fire incidents, 131 incidents were residential fires, 11 were commercial fire incidents and 3 were industrial fires.
He says these fires resulted in an estimated total loss of $22.2 million when compared to an estimated $9.5 million loss due to fires in 2022, a 13 per cent increase in loss of investments due to fire damage.
He says as we are also preparing for Diwali, there will be a lot of the use of oil lamps, candles, fireworks and electrical decorations.
The NFA is urging people to be aware of the dangers involved in the use of candles and Diya in their homes and surroundings.
The CEO says a fire cannot start by itself and it falls on all of us to practice fire safety and to follow proper precautionary measures to avoid fire incidents.
He urges parents to supervise their children while they use fireworks during Diwali since NFA has attended tragic home fires in the past during such celebrations and it is important for homeowners to keep vigilant and ensure a fire-safe celebration.
He further says the current dry and windy weather conditions are a major contributing factor to the quick spread of fire, and they urge fellow Fijians to be mindful while using firecrackers, oil lamps, candles or lighting fires outdoors.
He also encourages the public to purchase small fire extinguishers, and fire blankets and place them in their home.
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