A tragic house fire at Levuka Settlement in Samabula North resulted in the death of a 20-year-old woman, bringing the total number of fire-related fatalities in the country to 13 for the year. The National Fire Authority (NFA) received an emergency call about the incident around 4 PM yesterday, prompting the dispatch of two fire appliances from the Suva Fire Station.
Firefighters arrived at the scene just minutes later, at 4:08 PM, to find the two-bedroom house engulfed in flames. While battling the fierce fire, they were informed that someone was trapped inside. Despite their determined efforts, which included using water relay systems and connecting to a nearby hydrant, the crew later discovered the body of a young woman within the charred remains of the home.
The dwelling, constructed from corrugated iron and measuring approximately 10 by 11 meters, sustained catastrophic damage, with an estimated 95 percent of the structure destroyed. The property was owned by 70-year-old Shushila Wati and was being rented out to 47-year-old barber Ajay Raju. Unfortunately, officials confirmed that the house did not have insurance coverage.
Acting NFA Chief Executive Officer Joel Israel extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the victim and stated that an investigation into the cause of the fire has been initiated. Fire officials assured that a thorough inquiry will be conducted to determine the factors that led to this devastating event.
This year has been particularly grim, with fires having claimed the lives of six women and seven men, including one child among the total victims. It underscored the importance of fire safety awareness as communities reflect on these incidents. As investigations continue, there’s a collective hope that lessons learned from such tragedies will lead to enhanced safety measures in homes to prevent future loss of life.