Infernos engulf Suva
The Fiji Times reported on three of Suva’s biggest fires that happened in the early days of the capital and accrued about 110,000 pounds in total damage.
In the first fire, which happened on May 23, 1891, the entire block of buildings occupied by leading entrepreneurs of Suva, with their valuable stock, fell prey to flames.
At 6.25am a constable reported the fire before men started gathering at the scene to help quell the blaze.
A few moments later, they were assisted by 70 to 80 men who were crew on board the ship Cordelia.
During the fire, the Governor announced he would give a reward of 100 pounds if some buildings were saved.
The Fiji Times reported that while buildings were saved “some few could not keep their hands from picking and stealing”.
Altogether, the losses amounted to 30,000 pounds, with insurance covering about 10,630 pounds.
On March 21, 1921 lightning burned down Fiji’s then Government House.
The day of the accident featured bad weather with “very heavy thunderstorm” and “drenching rain”.
“A remarkable thunderstorm today was responsible for the destruction of Government House. A thunderbolt struck the central portion of the building,” The Fiji Times and Herald of March 21, 1921 reported.
Governor Sir Cecil William Hunter-Rodwell and his family escaped unharmed but lost most of their belongings.
Damage was estimated at 40,000 pounds.
Two years later, on February 12, 1923, another big fire razed shops along Cumming St, causing 40,000 pounds in damage.
The fire started from two shops owned by Mr Peter Grant.
“It is alleged that the origin of the fire was due to an Indian man holding a light over a tin of benzene.
“The premises where the fire originated were used as an Indian boarding house and a kava “joint” below,” The Fiji Times reported.
Most of the goods saved from the inferno were stolen from where they were piled along Thomson St.