Fire Destroys Vacant Farmhouse in Ba, Fiji; Investigation Underway

A vacant farmhouse in Bilolo, Ba, Fiji, was completely destroyed by fire on Monday night. Firefighters from the Ba Fire Station were dispatched after receiving a report from the Fiji Police Force at 8:22 p.m. However, upon arrival, crews were unable to access the property due to poor road conditions.

Despite being unable to reach the burning structure directly, the two fire appliances and six firefighters present checked the surrounding area to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby properties. The farmhouse, constructed from timber and corrugated iron, was unoccupied at the time of the incident. Its owner resides near Ba Town.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the National Fire Authority (NFA). A nearby resident reported seeing a bush fire earlier that evening, which is believed to have potentially spread to the farmhouse. Investigators have yet to confirm this as the definitive cause.

NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane expressed concern over fires involving vacant buildings, noting that unattended properties are vulnerable to risks such as bush fires, electrical faults, and deliberate acts. By the time such fires are discovered, it is often too late to save the structure. Sowane urged owners of vacant properties to maintain their grounds, secure their buildings, and conduct regular inspections to mitigate fire risks. The Fiji Police Force has formally requested an investigation into the incident.

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Fires involving vacant buildings continue to be a concern. He says unattended properties are exposed to risks such as bush fires, electrical faults and deliberate fires. He says by the time a fire is discovered, it is often too late to save the building.