The increasing number of fires is a concern for the Local government Ministry with 15 incidents in August alone.

Minister Premila Kumar says these fires have left 54 people homeless and in the middle of a pandemic, they have lost all their assets and belongings.

Last week alone, the National Fire Authority attended to ten incidents.

“On the 24th of August there was a fire in Nakasi and Navoli Ba. On 25th there was a fire in Yalalevu Ba and Yadua Sigatoka. On 26th Vunika Labasa, on 28th Navua and Tacirua, on 29th fire in Ba and Waimalika, Nadi and on 30th of August we had a fire in Yaroi village Savusavu”.

Kumar says between January and August, there have been 75 structural fires costing around $6.7m.

“It also costs NFA to handle the fire. They incurred around $310,000 so far just to handle the fire that occurred around the country”.

National Fire Authority says Fiji is in the dry season and they expect more fires in the coming days.

It has also received complaints regarding Fijians burning rubbish in their backyards which Chief Executive, Puamau Sowane says is illegal.