Minister for Local Government, Infrastructure and Transport, Parveen Bala says the seven deaths from house fires this year is unacceptable.
He made these comments while officiating at the ground breaking ceremony of the new Rakiraki Fire Station.
Bala says we all must take responsibility of our homes and premises to ensure that no lives are lost from house fires.
The $1.2 million project has commenced and will take 10 months to construct.
The Fire Station will be a first for the town as government plans to have critical infrastructure in all major urban centres around the country.
The ground breaking ceremony for the new station is part of the opening of similar stations at Korolevu in Nadroga, Korovou in Tailevu, Seaqaqa, Macuata and Taveuni which were opened by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
Bala says in the next few weeks, works on a new fire station in Nabouwalu commence.
