Ba fire leaves 15 people unemployed – NFA

15 people are now unemployed following a fire at Yados Furniture Joinery and Upholstery Limited in Vadravadra, Ba today.

The National Fire Authority says they were alerted of the fire at 12.05pm and upon arrival at the scene, the fire team found a semi-concrete and corrugated iron and timber building engulfed in flames.

They say the team was successful in controlling the fire and stopping its spread to other buildings meters away.

The NFA says due to heavy fire loading with flammable contents such as timber, saw dust and thinner prevalent at the site, the fire had escalated quickly and engulfed the building.

CEO Puamau Sowane says business owners should take stock of their fire safety capability and take advantage of fire safety awareness programs that NFA can offer to either eliminate or enable the early mitigation of fire damage to their property.

He adds as some COVID-19 restrictions have been uplifted, their Fire Safety and Compliance Department will be able to enforce inspections to ensure that buildings are fire compliant in order to operate.