National Fire Authority (NFA) is pleading with the members of the community to take extra care and not resort to burning their own properties or that of other family members as a result of disputes between families, friends or neighbours after another family lost their home in a house fire incident at Deshbandhu in Vitogo, Lautoka last night following a family dispute.
A family dispute resulted in the house fire at Deshbandhu in Vitogo, Lautoka which destroyed a seven bedroom concrete dwelling property. A private car was also burnt in the fire.
This is the seventh house fire incident for this month which brings the total number of structural fires so far for the month of January to eleven (11) as compared to seven (7) last year.
NFA Lautoka received the fire emergency call at 2326hrs and immediately responded. Upon arrival at 2333hours, the seven bedroom house and a private car was fully engulfed with flames.
NFA is treating this fire incident as suspicious as investigations are continuing with the Police.
NFA CEO John O’Connor reiterated NFA’s advice for the members of the community to refrain from engaging in such criminal activity.
The NFA CEO highlighted his concern on the increasing number of suspicious or arson fire cases attended by NFA. This month alone there has been seven suspicious or arson fire cases.
“Last year out of the 95 structural fires NFA attended to, there were 21 arson or suspicious fire incidents.
“This is a great concern to NFA and we are urging members of the communities to refrain from engaging in such criminal activity as NFA will work closely with the Police to ensure those involved are taken to task
Mr O’Connor added that the NFA will hand over their investigation report on suspicious and negligent fire cases to the Police to consider laying charges against those involved.
Meanwhile NFA has completed its investigations into the cause of the fire that destroyed the Hizz and Herz Clothing Outlet on Monday, 14 January 2013 and resulted in the tragic death of a man.
The fire is suspected to have been deliberately ignited.
NFA fire investigators worked with the forensic investigation officers from New Zealand to determine the cause of the fire and have referred the matter to Police for further investigations and action.
PRESS RELEASE