SUVA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- More Fijians have been left homeless due to property fires in the first six months of 2025, with 652 people displaced compared to 566 over the same period last year, the National Fire Authority (NFA) has confirmed.

In a statement, NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane said 85 property fires were recorded between January and June this year, slightly higher than the 81 recorded in the same period of 2024. Of these, 95 percent involved residential homes, the same proportion as last year.

While 2024 saw fires affecting a mosque, a school, a gymnasium and a storeroom, this year's non-residential incidents involved two schools and two business premises.

Sowane raised concern over the growing number of fires in vacant homes, noting a 50 percent rise in such cases -- from six in the first half of 2024 to nine this year.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and inform neighbours, family members, or their nearest police post whenever they leave their homes, even briefly.

"Fires can occur at any time and often when no one is around to respond quickly. Alerting those nearby could make all the difference in early detection and response," Sowane said.

The financial cost of fire damage has also surged dramatically. The NFA estimates the total damage from property fires in the first half of this year at 10.56 million Fijian dollars (about 4.68 million U.S. dollars), a sharp increase from the 7.37 million Fijian dollars (about 3.27 million U.S. dollars) reported for the same period last year.

The authority is expected to step up its fire safety campaigns in light of the rising trend, urging households and businesses to review and improve their fire prevention practices. ■