Six people have been left homeless this New Year after a fire at Navutu Village in Lautoka destroyed a four-bedroom house, causing an estimated $200,000 in damage.
The National Fire Authority says an investigation has begun to determine the cause of the fire.
According to the NFA, at 3.07am on Sunday, officers at the NFA Command Centre in Suva alerted the duty crew at the Lautoka Fire Station about the incident.
The duty crew responded immediately with two fire trucks and eight firefighters, arriving at the scene at 3.53am to find the corrugated iron and timber house fully engulfed in flames.
Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby houses and managed to bring the fire under control by 4.06am.
The house belongs to a 58-year-old pastor with the Cross Over Ministry.
Initial on-site investigations revealed that the homeowner’s 30-year-old daughter-in-law woke up in the middle of the night and noticed flames in one of the bedrooms.
She then alerted other family members.
Acting NFA Chief Executive Officer Joel Israel has called on members of the public to remain vigilant in and around their homes to prevent unwanted fires.
Israel says that as the festive season continues, the public is urged to take preventative measures to minimise fire risks.
They are also urging members of the public to develop an escape plan for their homes and teach their children how to avoid fires and what to do in the event of a fire.
