National Fire Authority’s Levuka branch could not save the old heritage building in Levuka as it went down in flames this morning.
The NFA upon arrival tried to contain the fully engulfed building, to stop it from spreading to the nearby new hospital and mortuary.
The old wooden structure being fanned by a sea breeze caused its rapid spread, hence 4 patients at the new hospital which was within close proximity had to be evacuated to Levuka Vakaviti village.
NFA CEO Puamau Sowane says they would like to acknowledge the great work of the NFA team in Levuka and for their skillfulness in successfully preventing the fire from spreading to the new hospital and mortuary.
Sowane says with sincere gratitude the strong networking and collaboration between the service agencies in Levuka, prevented a potential catastrophe in the old capital.
He also thanked other stakeholders like the Fiji Corrections Services and Water Authority of Fiji for the quick collaborative response.
Fire investigations will soon be conducted to determine the cause of the fire.
NFA confirms no injuries or fatalities were reported.
