FIJI VILLAGE BURNED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1008, 26 June 1930, Page 11

FIJI VILLAGE BURNED

OLD WOMAN’S CARELESSNESS STARTS FIRE ONLY 22 HOUSES LEFT From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, June 14. Owing to the carelessness of an old woman, lire almost completely wiped out the town of Serua, on an island about 40 miles south-west of Suva. Latest reports say that 37 houses and 14 kitchens were destroyed, and only -2 houses remain untouched. The tire originated in the house occupied by an old native woman, who. feeling cold, hesfped fuel on her tire in the centre of the house, and, it is presumed, went to sleep. At about midnight the walls of the house caught lire aiul the strong wind which was blowing did the rest. That no one was burned or injured by the tire is remarkable, as most of the villagers were asleep when the trouble started, but it will be many months before the town takes on its former appearance of prosperity. Many of the natives were absent from the village, and those who remained did their utmost to prevent the spread ot the fire. The task was beyond them, however, as there was no water available with which to check the advance of the tlames. As the tide was out. the work of carrying water from low-water mark was too slow to Le of any assistance. The natives were thus compelled to stand idle while their homes went up in smoke. The greatest damage was done in the oantre of the village, some of the l ouses at both ends escaping. The Louses are crowded closely together. This greatly assisted in the devastation caused by the fire, which was

also aided by a strong wind, and the village soon became a raging inferno. The church and the houses of the Government officials escaped harm, and these buildings are now crowded with homeless natives.