A two-storey residential property on Johnson Street in Toorak was completely destroyed by a fire on Tuesday evening, with damages totaling around $150,000. The National Fire Authority (NFA) responded promptly to the emergency call received just after 6:10 pm, sending multiple fire crews to the scene where the house was rapidly consumed by flames.
Firefighters collaborated effectively with Energy Fiji Limited and the Water Authority of Fiji to cut off the electricity supply and enhance water pressure, which enabled them to control the fire by 7:06 pm and prevent any further spread to adjacent homes.
Joel Israel, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NFA, explained that the structure, an older timber-framed house, significantly intensified the fire, complicating the suppression efforts. The owner of the property, 48-year-old Vani Tinai, experienced total loss as the fire resulted in 100 percent damage to the house. Preliminary investigations suggest that the blaze may have been ignited by a faulty cooking appliance, with inquiries still underway.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, highlighting the effectiveness of the emergency response and the swift actions taken to safeguard neighboring residences.