3 residential fires in first 3 days of 2025 concerns NFA

With just 5 days into the new year, the National Fire Authority (NFA) is concerned about three residential fires reported so far.

NFA CEO Puamau Sowane says members of the public need to secure their properties and possessions before leaving their homes, even for a short while.

Sowane explains that NFA’s strategic goal is to reduce fires by 5 percent each year, but they cannot do it alone and will need the public’s help to ensure that unwanted fires are minimised.

He says with the three property fires already recorded, whereas last year only one fire was reported in January, which led to 19 residential fires causing $2.02 million in damage.

Sowane adds that their goal is to minimize fires by encouraging the public to store flammable items safely, keep matches away from children, turn off power points and appliances, close gas cylinders, and secure their homes before leaving.

The CEO says the first fire incident occurred at Naitata settlement in Navua, where a vacant house was damaged, with the estimated cost of damage at $30,000. The second incident took place in Lauwaki Village in Lautoka.

He says on-site investigations revealed that the house in Lauwaki was unoccupied, with the owner away overseas.

Sowane says the third incident occurred at Waiqele, Labasa.