A devastating house fire in Levuka Settlement, Samabula North, has claimed the life of a 20-year-old woman, marking a somber milestone as the total number of fire-related fatalities in the country reaches 13 this year. The National Fire Authority (NFA) received an emergency call at around 4 PM yesterday, prompting a rapid response with two fire appliances dispatched from the Suva Fire Station.
Firefighters arrived on the scene just eight minutes later to find the two-bedroom structure engulfed in flames. During their efforts to combat the rapidly spreading fire, they were alerted to the presence of a person trapped inside. Despite their immediate and determined response, utilizing water relay systems and connecting to a nearby hydrant, the crew later discovered the deceased woman amidst the ashes of the home.
The house, measuring approximately 10 by 11 meters and constructed from corrugated iron, suffered catastrophic damage—about 95 percent of it was destroyed. Property owner 70-year-old Shushila Wati was renting the dwelling to 47-year-old barber Ajay Raju. Tragically, officials reported that the property lacked insurance coverage.
Joel Israel, acting Chief Executive Officer of the NFA, expressed condolences to the victim’s family and announced the commencement of an investigation into the fire’s cause. Fire officials are committed to conducting a thorough inquiry to uncover the details surrounding this tragic incident.
This year has been particularly grim, with a total of six women, seven men, and a child among the fire-related victims. These incidents highlight the necessity for increased fire safety awareness within communities. As investigations progress, there is a collective hope that the lessons learned from this tragedy will lead to improved safety measures in homes, with the aim of preventing further loss of life in the future.