Virtual discussions have begun with the Victoria, Australian based Country Fire Authority (CFA) to investigate the fire incidents at the Tappoo warehouse in Suva and the Ba Central arcade that occurred last week.

National Fire Authority, chief executive officer, Puamau Sowane said the Country Fire Authority have sent their investigation checklist to enhance and strengthen the determination of the likely causes of the fire.

“Due to COVID-19 restrictions and 14 days’ compulsory quarantine period, CFA will not be able to come to Fiji due to the fact that the period of quarantine would be too long to preserve the evidence of the most likely cause of the fire,” Mr Puamau said.

“We had our virtual meeting to discuss how we would carry out our investigation and our processes,” he said.

He said all other fires would be investigated by the National Fire Authority as the Country Fire Authority were only being engaged for the two major fires in Suva and the Ba Central arcade.

“All our fire investigation officers are all trained and certified by CFA and will carry out investigation procedures according to standards,” he said.

“Once we conclude our findings, we will again send our test results to them for confirmation before we make it public after briefing our line Minister.”

He said there were developments in the investigations for the fire at the Tappoo warehouse in Suva.

“For Suva, yes we have leads to the probable cause of fire but we will await the police department to complete and conclude their findings before we brief our Minister, for Ba we are still in the process,” he said.

Edited by Losirene Lacanivalu

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