A vacant house in Tavakubu Back Road, Lautoka, was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning, with authorities suspecting the blaze may have been caused by the burning of plastic insulation from copper wires.
No injuries or deaths were reported as the house had been unoccupied for several years.
The National Fire Authority received the emergency call through the 910 lines at about 4.39am on 9 March 2026, reporting a house fire.
Firefighters from the Lautoka Fire Station responded immediately with two fire trucks and eight officers, arriving at the scene at approximately 4.45am.
When firefighters arrived, the small wooden structure was already fully engulfed in flames.
Crews quickly established a hose line from the fire trucks’ water tanks to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby properties.
Firefighters successfully extinguished the fire using water from both responding appliances and refilled from an underground fire hydrant located about three kilometres from the scene.
NFA says preliminary information gathered at the scene revealed the property belonged to 70-year-old Satiya Wati Singh.
They say the house, measuring about 11 feet by 14 feet, had reportedly been vacant since 2015 and had no electricity or water supply.
According to the property owner’s son, the building had remained unoccupied for several years.
Initial reports also indicated that individuals had previously been seen in the area burning plastic insulation from copper wires, an activity authorities believe may have contributed to the fire.
However, the exact cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
National Fire Authority Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane says the incident highlights the growing risk associated with unattended and poorly secured vacant properties.
He urged property owners to ensure vacant buildings are properly secured, regularly monitored, and kept clear of combustible materials to reduce the risk of fires.
He also reminds the public to report suspicious activities such as open burning or trespassing in abandoned properties.
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