The National Fire Authority is urging businesses to have appropriate fire prevention and early detection measures in place after a car wash and tyre centre in Lautoka was destroyed by fire yesterday.
NFA says no injuries have been confirmed in relation to the incident.
NFA says its Lautoka Fire Station received a call from the National Command Centre via the station's landline at approximately 5.30pm, reporting the fire.
They say they immediately responded with two fire appliances and nine firefighters.
Upon arrival at approximately 5.41pm, firefighters found a 6ft by 3ft corrugated iron shed with wooden structural walls fully engulfed in flames.
Firefighters immediately established a delivery line from the appliance tank supply to prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding areas.
The fire was successfully extinguished using three tank supplies, and firefighters subsequently refilled their water tanks from a nearby hydrant located approximately 50 metres from the scene.
NFA says the structure and its contents sustained an estimated 100 percent damage, but the total estimated cost of the damage is yet to be determined.
They say preliminary information gathered indicated that the worker had finished work at approximately 5:06pm and returned to his nearby residence.
He was later alerted by neighbours that the Car Wash and Tyre Centre premises was on fire and immediately returned to the scene.
NFA says at the time of the incident, the property owner was in Sabeto, Nadi, attending a funeral.
Attempts to contact the business owner have so far been unsuccessful as his mobile phone is switched off.
NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane says while firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading, the structure itself sustained 100 percent damage.
He says this is a reminder that a fire can develop rapidly and cause significant losses within a very short period of time.
Sowane urged business owners and members of the public to remain vigilant and ensure that electrical systems, appliances, flammable materials and other potential fire hazards are properly managed.
He also encouraged property and business owners to install smoke alarms as an additional safety measure to provide early warning in the event of a fire.
He says smoke alarms can provide an early warning, particularly when a fire starts when no one is present or when people are asleep.
He adds that early detection can provide valuable time to respond, evacuate safely and alert emergency services.
The CEO says fire safety is a shared responsibility.
He says business owners must take proactive steps to reduce fire risks, install appropriate early detection systems such as smoke alarms, and ensure workers know what to do in the event of a fire.
He adds that members of the public must also immediately report any fire or suspected fire by calling the National Emergency Number 910.
He further adds that NFA will conduct a fire investigation to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the incident.
