Mr Katamotu questioned inspectors present if there were other commercial properties or organisations in Labasa town that wasn’t fire compliant.
The Fiji Sugar Corporation mill in Labasa, Vanua Levu. Photo: Sampras Anand
The Lasasa Divisional Hospital and Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) Mill are not fire compliant.
That’s the assessment of the Labasa Fire Station inspection officer Avneel Singh when questions were raised by the Minister for Local Government Maciu Katamotu in a recent visit.
While praising the firefighters for their valiant efforts in putting out the fire that destroyed seven shops in Labasa, Mr Katamotu said efforts to maintain fire compliance played a key role in averting further disasters.
Mr Katamotu questioned inspectors present if there were other commercial properties or organisations in Labasa town that wasn’t fire compliant.
Mr Singh replied that the Labasa Divisional Hospital and FSC were two major entities.
The hospital and FSC mill don’t have proper fire compliance standards identified by NFA Labasa.
Labasa Divisional Hospital.
Mr Singh has not responded to questions sent to him.
Efforts were also made to get comments from Labasa Hospital administrator Krishna Kumari, but she insisted on relying on the advice of the ministry’s media liaison officer, despite approval given by Ministry of Health and Medical Services permanent secretary, Dr James Fong.
The cause of the fire which gutted seven businesses in Labasa Town will be known once the National Fire Authority (NFA) completes its investigation.
This was the response by Labasa Town Council special administrator Doreen Robinson and Divisional Police Commander Senior Superintendent of Police Kemueli Baledrokadroka in a shared statement.
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