NFA investigates 3 fires in the last two days

National Fire Authority investigators have started looking into three fires in the past two days, with one incident Monday resulting in the death of a 75-year-old bedridden stroke patient at Kala Craft Kashmir in Lautoka.

NFA says this is the second person who has died in a fire so far this year.

They say the fire crew noticed a two-flat house fully engulfed in flames and stopped the fire from spreading further and they were told that a 75-year-old man was trapped inside the house.

They say the first flat consisted of four bedrooms and was occupied by six adults, the second flat consisted of three bedrooms and was occupied by two adults and the estimated damage to the structure is 80 percent.

NFA also say another incident was reported on Monday as well which was reported at Koroqaqa, Baulevu Road.

The three-bedroom concrete house belonging to a 60-year-old woman was vacant during the fire.

Meanwhile, the third incident occurred at Martintar on a warehouse and container cooler fire last Sunday which the property belonged to fruit and vegetable wholesale firm Turners and Growers Fiji Limited.

The estimated damage to the structure was 2 percent and 80 percent damage to three containers cooler with the cost of damage estimated is $500,000.

NFA Chief Executive Officer, Puamau Sowane says the loss of life through fire is always a tragedy and no family should have to experience this type of occurrence.

Puamau is urging members of the public to ensure the safety of their family members who are unable to care for themselves, through sickness or infirmity, in the event of a fire. He adds home fires are brutal and care for no one therefore fire safety must be taught to all family members and must be championed by all.