Under-quality or cheap electrical components sold in our country is one of the main cause of fire – NFA CEO

The main causes of fire nowadays are under-quality or cheap electrical components and housing material sold in our country, faulty electric outlets and unattended cooking.

National Fire Authority CEO Puamau Sowane highlighted this during an interview with fijivillage News and says that these electrical components are very cheap but very risky as well.

Sowane says many things can cause a fire in a residential home, but through their research they have noticed that housing materials nowadays are under-quality.

He says back in the 80s, modern electrical components and local timber were designed, tested and certified for safe, reliable and long-lasting performance in Fiji but things have turned sideways with cheaper deals been carried out.

He adds for this reason, the NFA has come up with a 5-year strategic plan that begins with carrying out awareness programs in communities.

Sowane says through their awareness program, many villagers have received community fire wardens certificate.

The CEO says they are working with other stakeholders and will be sending a proposal requesting the Government to prepare a cabinet paper that empowers their officers to put a stop notice on some of the electrical components been identified as the cause of structural fire.

We have sent questions to the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission on standards of electrical items and building material being imported into the country. They are yet to respond.