Fire demolishes classrooms, relocated students continue with studies
While we have allocated the students we are now discussing ways to arrange stationeries and notes for them as exams are coming up next month. Dharmendra Lal School’s interim manager
The early morning fire at Savusavu Secondary School yesterday destroyed two classrooms and a tool room causing an estimated damage of $100,000. The school’s interim manager, Dharmendra Lal, said that although furniture, stationaries and books were destroyed in the fire they were able to relocate the 71 Year 11 students in the science laboratories to resume classes six hours after the fire.
“Classes are not affected as the students have been relocated,” Mr Lal said.
Mr Lal said he had received a call from the school principal at around 2:50am telling him that a school block was destroyed in the fire.
“We are thankful to the National Fire Authority (NFA) for their quick response; they were able to stop the fire from spreading to a nearby building,” he said.
“All desks, chairs, students’ stationeries and other related school items were destroyed in the fire.
“While we have allocated the students we are now discussing ways to arrange stationeries and notes for them as exams are coming up next month.”
Meanwhile, the National Fire Authority in a press release stated that at 2.38am, the Savusavu Fire Station received a fire emergency call and they immediately responded.
On arrival at 2.44am, the fire crew saw the two corrugated iron and timbered structured classrooms engulfed with flames.
To extinguish the fire, the NFA team had used deliveries of water from the fire truck. They had also relayed water from a fire hydrant in the area.
NFA confirmed that investigation was underway to determine the cause of the fire.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Iowane Tiko he said he was in the West and referred the questions to Director secondary schools Emosi Lutunaika.
Mr Lutunaika said he could not release information since Mr Tiko hasd not given the approval for him to provide information.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that they were aware about this incident. Police are awaiting a report from NFA.