Afternoon Fire Razes Church
The Bethel Gospel Church in Vishnu Deo Road, Nakasi was destroyed by a fire yesterday. When Fiji Sun arrived at the scene, the National Fire Authority (NFA) officers were still trying to douse the fire because it had completely engulfed the whole structure. Neighbours Viliame Yacabuli, 19 and Takayawa Vosataki, 26, said they noticed the fire had started from the back of the church building.
Mr Yacabuli said they did not see anyone inside the church when the fire started, but noticed that a few church members had arrived at the scene when the NFA arrived. “They looked very upset and distraught but it was good the NFA came in time or else the fire would have spread to a neighbour’s house,” Mr Yacabuli said.
“Earlier in the day we had noticed a man painting the church, but did not understand how quickly the church caught fire.” In its statement the NFA said that it was around 12.50pm, that it received an emergency call and immediately responded.
Chief fire officer Qionilau Moceitai said upon NFA’s arrival at 1pm, the fire brigade team saw the corrugated iron and timber structured house fully engulfed in flames. “The team used water from the fire trucks and the fire hydrant in the area to extinguish the fire.”
Mr Moceitai said four fire trucks, two from Nausori and a fire truck each from Suva and Valelevu Fire Stations were engaged to put the fire out.
He said the NFA teams also managed to stop the fire from spreading to other houses in the area. He added that NFA investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro confirmed that there were no causalities reported.
Edited by Percy Kean