Quick Action Stops Fire From Spreading

Quick action from Nadi firefighters enabled them to contain a fire from spreading within the Challenge Plaza in Namaka yesterday.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed the fire incident that happened in the afternoon. Ms Naisoro said: “It was a small fire at Challenge Plaza in Namaka. The fire started from BSP (Life) office and was been put out. There were no casualties or injury.”

BSP Life staff and nearby offices and restaurants were evacuated within minutes after smoke billowed from the top part of the building.

BSP Life Business relationship manager Fabian Corrie said: “There was no fire alarm sound, but only from the mouth of the security guards telling us because there was a fire.”

Mr Corrie said three office staff are likely to be affected whereas the 20 sales advisers will not.

“For us it is more water and the damaged caused,” he said.

“We will have to wait for the reports of the investigation before we can move in and establish the damage caused to the office.”

For the tenant next door Tourism Fiji, chief executive officer Matthew Stoeckel, said he would comment today after an assessment. Plaza owner Suresh Patel and his team were also present on site. When Mr Patel was approached for an interview, he said: “I did not know what transpired as I was in Lautoka.

“The NFA will give me a report then we will be doing the assessment of the damage. There are a number of of tenants in this plaza as there are restaurants, pizza, offices and shops.”

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra