The National Fire Authority says Vincent House along Brown Street in Suva, which was destroyed by fire and claimed the life of a woman yesterday, was reportedly vacant.
fijivillage News is seeking confirmation from the Executive Secretary of the National Council of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Fiji, Christina Rokoua, the organisation responsible for the building, on whether the property was in fact vacant at the time of the fire.
The NFA and Police confirmed earlier today that a woman died in the blaze.
Her identity remains unknown at this stage.
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses told fijivillage News that an elderly man was taken out of the building shortly before flames spread and engulfed parts of the property.
Police are yet to confirm the condition of the man at this stage.
NFA Chief Executive Officer Sowane Puamau says the cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with authorities awaiting forensic examination of the scene.
Puamau says the property sustained extensive damage, estimated between 80 to 90 percent, while no adjacent buildings were affected.
He adds the fatality brings the total number of fire-related deaths recorded by the NFA to nine.
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