Seven individuals have lost their lives in various fire incidents across the nation in the first three weeks of this month, raising alarming concerns about fire safety. Puamau Sowane, the Chief Executive of the National Fire Authority (NFA), reported that as of last Wednesday, there had been a total of 707 fire calls recorded across the country, highlighting the urgent need for the public to adopt better safety practices to prevent fires.
The Western Division recorded 334 fire incidents, which accounted for four deaths, while the Northern Division had 365 fires resulting in one fatality. The Central Division experienced eight fires, leading to two deaths. Sowane emphasized the troubling statistics that underscore a pattern of preventable tragedies that not only claim lives but also devastate families’ livelihoods.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the majority of fires in the Western and Northern Divisions were largely bushfires, attributed mainly to careless burning practices, improper waste disposal, and unattended open flames amid the prolonged dry spell. In the Central Division, structural fires remain a critical issue, often resulting from unattended cooking, electrical faults, and the careless use of candles, mosquito coils, and gas appliances.
One particularly tragic incident highlighted by the NFA was the Yacata island fire on October 16th, which claimed the life of an infant. The remote location of the island hindered the NFA’s response, pointing to an urgent requirement for heightened community preparedness and heightened fire safety awareness in both maritime and rural areas.
Sowane conveyed that the current data serves as a stark warning of the consequences of negligence and complacency in fire safety practices, as they continue to endanger lives. He noted that the ongoing dry conditions have kept the risk of bush and grass fires exceptionally high, especially in the Western and Northern Divisions.
This escalation in fire incidents echoes a broader trend also observed in previous reports, which have indicated a significant increase in property fire damages, primarily driven by negligence. The NFA has consistently urged community members to participate in fire safety awareness while adopting preventive measures to safeguard their homes.
There remains hope that through collective action and heightened vigilance, communities can forge a safer living environment and reduce the persistence of such tragedies in the future. The resilience and support from affected families, bolstered by community awareness, offer a path toward significant improvements in fire safety.