Four families homeless after Vatuwaqa fire

Four families are homeless after a fire destroyed their homes at Vatuwaqa Housing yesterday afternoon.

The National Fire Authority Command Centre received a call at 2.42pm reporting a property fire on Malau Street, Viria West, Vatuwaqa.

The Suva Fire Station duty crew responded swiftly with two fire trucks, ten firefighters, and an ambulance with three crew members.

Upon arrival, firefighters found four flats fully engulfed in flames and immediately began operations using two hose deliveries from their onboard tank supply.

By 4.02pm, the blaze was contained with additional water supply from a nearby hydrant.

Initial investigations from NFA suggest the fire started in a flat occupied by a Judicial Department employee before quickly spreading to neighbouring units due to the barrack-style layout of the homes.

Four children were home when the fire broke out.

A 10-year-old boy raised the alarm and helped his siblings escape safely.

No injuries were reported.

NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane expressed relief that everyone escaped unharmed but said the incident is another reminder of the dangers of unattended cooking, which remains one of the top three causes of property fires alongside electrical faults and arson.

Sowane says the fire spread rapidly through the shared structure, and by the time firefighters arrived, three flats were already ablaze.

He urged parents and guardians to supervise children at all times, stressing that in just moments, four families lost nearly everything and now face the challenge of rebuilding their lives.

Sowane is reminding the public to call the NFA emergency number 910 immediately in the event of a fire or rescue emergency.