Moceita: Our fire trucks never respond with empty water tanks
The National Fire Authority has clarified that when it responds to emergencies, its fire trucks always have full water tanks.
Chief fire officer Qionilau Moceitai was responding to comments made by a resident whose home was destroyed in a fire on Diwali. Atish Kumar watched his threebedroom house enveloped by fire on Sunday.
He claimed that the fire truck arrived late with an empty water tank. He lives in Rara Housing, Lajonia in Labasa. Mr Moceitai said: “Our officers never leave the station with empty water tanks.
“I was informed by my fire officers that they had taken two full tank fire trucks. “The reason they used fire hydrants was that there was continuous full force of water supply to contain the spread of fire. “My officers had responded immediately after receiving the fire call and we have a record of it. “We have a strict procedure to follow and everything was done accordingly. “People should not judge us or our work because we always try our best to save lives and prevent fires.” Mr Kumar, a loader operator at Fiji Sugar Corporation Labasa mill, said when he returned from work that afternoon, he noticed smoke at the back of the house. “I quickly checked my tenant, a family of four (two adults and two children) and they managed to get out of the house,” Mr Kumar said. “However, the NFA was unable to save our home.” He claimed estimated cost of damage was around $70,000 to $80,000. Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said the cause of fire was yet to be established and a joint investigation was underway between Police and NFA.