On Christmas morning, the National Fire Authority tackled a significant house fire in Carreras, Votualeu, located approximately 10 kilometers from the Nadi Fire Station and outside the designated fire boundary. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries in the incident, which appeared to occur while the homeowner and a tenant were consuming alcohol.
Joel Israel, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Fire Authority, expressed his sympathy for the affected family and underscored the critical importance of fire safety and responsible behavior, particularly during festive celebrations when the risk of such incidents tends to rise. An investigation will be launched to determine the fire’s cause.
The blaze inflicted severe damage, affecting about 80 percent of the property owned by a 58-year-old mechanic, with estimated losses reaching $80,000. Compounding the family’s plight, the house was uninsured, leaving three family members in a precarious situation. The fire was initially reported at 8:39 am, prompting a swift response from the Nadi Fire Station, which dispatched two fire engines and nine firefighters.
Upon their arrival, emergency crews encountered a fully engulfed three-bedroom concrete home that posed a threat to neighboring properties. Thanks to the prompt and efficient action by the firefighters, who employed multiple hose lines, the fire was contained and extinguished before it could escalate further. The community expressed gratitude for the quick response, highlighting the ongoing necessity for public awareness around fire safety, especially during celebratory times.