ALLEGED ARSON IN RAIWAI FLATS
Families at the Public Rental Board (PRB) Raiwai Flats in Suva are living in fear after claiming arson in a series of fires. Three incidents were reported to Police in the last three days. A car, a couch on a porch, clothes on the line were allegedly set alight.
According to residents, one of the incidents could have spelt a bigger disaster if quick actions were not taken.
28-year-old, Esita Marama said that she heard a commotion outside her home on Tuesday night. “We had returned from church at about 9pm when we heard something outside,” she said. “When I got outside, I saw the arm of a jacket on our line on fire and thought it was from a cigarette butt thrown from the top level.
“When I tried to tap the fire out, it engulfed even more, so I threw it to the ground. I, then quickly took out the other clothes from the line. “While I was inside, our neighbours screamed that the towels hanging on the railing of our front porch were also on fire,” she said. Residents have raised concerns about their safety.
They have requested an increase in the number of security officers within the Raiwai Flats and surveillance cameras.
Acting General Manager Patrick Veu said there would be close consultations with the Raiwai Flats tenants committee who will be assisting Police with the foot patrol.
“In addition, two PRB staff will undertake daytime security and PRB will provide and an additional officer assigned to assist the two security company guards,” he said “The National Fire Authority will be requested to undertake a fire drill awareness for tenants.” Mr Veu said there were no CCTV cameras on site, however, PRB is quickly looking at options of installing CCTV cameras. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said investigations had begun.