A property on Waila Feeder Road outside Nausori became engulfed in flames this afternoon, leading to widespread devastation. Eyewitnesses initially believed the thick black smoke was the result of nearby tire burning, with many not realizing a house was at risk until it was too late.
Manoa Gasaudrokadroka expressed his surprise, stating, “I never thought much about it. I thought it was just someone burning tires or rubbish.” However, as the fire rapidly escalated, it became clear that it originated from the back flat of the property and quickly spread, according to another witness, Asaeli Racule. He noted, “When we got here, we saw the fire broke out from the back flat, and it spread so quickly.” The intensity of the blaze led to a car explosion, compounding the destruction.
Mr. Racule remarked on the landlord’s distress as they witnessed their home consumed by flames and smoke, while Suliasi Waqa mentioned the alarming impact on one tenant. “The old lady fainted when she saw the house was on fire after coming back from her walk,” he recalled.
The witnesses pointed out that the fire was uncontrollable, requiring three National Fire Authority trucks to refill water from a nearby river three times during the incident. They raised concerns that a delay in communication and a lack of community vigilance contributed to the inability of the firefighters to save the property.
Despite the chaos, the tenants and the property owner opted not to address any reporters’ questions. This incident marks the fifth residential fire reported in 2026, underscoring a troubling trend in the area.
As the community reflects on this tragic event, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparedness in fire safety to prevent future incidents.