A COUPLE in Tuatua outside Labasa Town considered themselves lucky following the quick response from the National Fire Authority (NFA), which saved their two-bedroom house from catching fire on Tuesday night.
Deo Nadan Pillay, 54, and his wife were at a prayer meeting in Coqeloa about 20 kilometres from their home when the incident happened.
Mr Pillay said his neighbour called and informed him that he noticed flames and smoke beside his house.
“I asked my neighbour to attend to the fire while I made a call to NFA. With the help of the officers and my neighbour, they were able to control the fire,” he said.
“Our house is still under construction as we only moved here early this year.”
He thanked NFA officers for their efficient response which saved his partly-built home.
NFA chief executive officer John O’Connor said they received a call that night where the officers attended to the matter immediately.
He said a report was submitted to police for further investigation.
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said “fire officers attended to the scene and managed to put out the fire. Only the outside wall was damaged with estimated cost of $300.”
She said investigations into the matter are continue.