CAPTION: NFA CEO John O’Connor. File Photo.
The National Fire Authority is again reminding the community, especially the Business community, to take extra care in relation to fire safety after attending to two separate commercial fires yesterday afternoon and early this morning.
This morning at 0123hrs, the Ba Fire Station was informed by the Manager of the RC Manubhai Foam Factory that their workshop located in Yalalevu was on fire. The Fire Team from Ba Fire Station responded and upon arrival at the site found the factory fully engulfed in flames. The fire had spread very quickly due to the fire load of foam and related materials in the building and the fire fighting was very difficult and tough due to the extensive heat intensity.
Fire Teams from Lautoka and Tavua were deployed to assist in fighting the fire. Due to the magnitude of the fire and the heat intensity, our priority was to contain the fire within the factory and avoid it from spreading to the nearby Plastic Manufacturing Factory.
Mr O’Connor highlighted that the Fire Fighters were successful in preventing the fire from spreading to the Plastic Factory and were able to extinguish the fire by 0400hrs this morning.
Three workers and a Security officer were working in the Foam Factory at the time but had safely evacuated the building. Nine (9) other workers working in the Plastic Factory were also safely evacuated.
The estimated damage to the Factory is between 80% and 90%.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
PRESS RELEASE