The National Fire Authority (NFA) is reminding members of the community to be mindful of fire safety with the current rainy weather conditions and the aftermath of the flooding.

Yesterday afternoon, NFA attended to a fire incident at Rifle Range in Lautoka which partly damaged a three bedroom corrugated iron and timber house leaving two families homeless.

At 1127hrs, NFA received the fire emergency call and immediately responded to the fire call. Upon arrival at 1132hrs, the fire team saw the house fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters used deliveries of water to extinguish the fire and stopped it from spreading to nearby homes. No one was at home at the time of the fire incident.Firefighters saved one bedroom and the porch area of the three bedroom house structure. NFA CEO John O’Connor is advising members of the community to take extra care and be mindful of fire safety while using candles, kerosene lanterns and during cooking.

“Candles, prayer diyas, and kerosene lanterns should be placed properly in a safe place on a metal surface and must not be left unattended. Mr O’Connor is also advising members of the communities to engage a registered electrical conductor or electrician to check their electrical power points and electrical wirings to avoid any fire risk that can occur as a result of water damages to these electrical wirings or electrical power points.

NFA’s precautionary advice on fire safety:

Candles

• When using candles please place it in a metal surface
• Keep lit candles out of the reach of children and pets
• Place the candle away from curtains
• Place candle away from overhanging clothes, blankets, paper, which could catch fire
• Place candle away from furniture or beddings
• Place candle away from flammable sources such as kerosene, fuel, stove, etc

Kerosene Stove/Lantern

• Ensure Kerosene stove or lantern is placed in a safe place.
• Ensure they are properly put off when not in use.
• Do not leave kerosene stove burning unattended
• Keep out of reach of children.

Gas stove

• Always turn off gas cylinders when stove is not in use or after cooking
• Ensure that the gas stove burner is clean

Fire Wood

• After cooking ensure that the open fire place is extinguished properly to avoid burning fire embers which can be fanned away by winds and cause a fire to the home.

Matches

• Keep all matches and lighters out of the reach of children
• Never underestimate your children’s curiosity about fire and their ability to strike a match or a lighter.

Mosquito Coil

• Place the mosquito coil in a safe and metal plate
• Never put the mosquito coil on paper
• Place mosquito coil away from curtains and other combustible materials
• Never put mosquito coil near or under the settee
• Leave mosquito coils where it can be easily seen

The NFA is urging members of the community to follow the fire safety tips to avoid unnecessary fires.