Fiji reports 84 structure fires in 8 months

SUVA, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Fiji reported 84 structure fires from January to August this year, Fiji's National Fire Authority (NFA) Chief Executive Puamau Sowane said on Monday.

There were 14 fire incidents reported in the first 22 days of September alone, he added.

This is why the NFA has asked people to check and ensure their homes are safe before they leave their homes as electric faults and arson are two major causes of fires in Fiji, according to a Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) report.

Sowane said 31 fire incidents occurred on the central and eastern side, and 41 on the western side of Fiji's main island of Viti Levu, in addition to 12 in Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island.

Some 94 percent of the fires took place in residential houses and 6 percent in commercial buildings, he said, adding that the fires have caused damage estimated at 11.6 million Fijian dollars (about 5 million U.S. dollars).

Sowane said a survey has highlighted increasing fire incidents at vacant houses.