The National Fire Authority responded to more than 1,375 fire incidents around the country last year.
This was highlighted by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while commissioning the new Lami Fire Station.
Bainimarama says that includes 140 structural fires, and according to the NFA, 30% of these structural fire incidents had an electrical cause.
He says there were 170 small fires and 986 fires involving the burning of unwanted vegetation, rubbish, grass and sugarcane.
Bainimarama says there were 79 vehicle fires.
He says unfortunately, they know that many businesses and homeowners were never able to truly rebuild from the ashes. He says also in 2019, a total of 2,648 ambulance runs were made for road accident victims, fire victims and emergency medical situations.
Bainimarama says while it is true that fire does not discriminate between rich and poor or old and young, the people most at risk are not those living in modern houses with expensive appliances and insurance to protect them, but the most vulnerable within our society which includes older people, those who are living alone and those whose behaviours, lifestyles or housing puts them at greater risk.
