Two residential fires were reported in less than 24 hours at the weekend, with one incident claiming the life of a 68-year-old stroke patient who died trapped in their blazing home have prompted authorities to again urge members of the public to ensure younger family members were supervised when lighting fires and flammable items kept well away from their reach.

The fire in Nasinu reportedly occurred at 12.13pm last Saturday – that of a double-storey timber and concrete residential structure.

Authority CEO Puamau Sowane said the man  was found dead after firefighters had soused the flames.

“Information gathered at the scene was that the man’s son tried to burn a beehive with old newspapers. The uninsured house sustained 90 per cent damage and the estimated cost of damage to the property was $100,000,” Mr Sowane said.

The other incident was reported about a property fire at Lobau Village in Namosi at around 4.20am last Sunday.

The house was vacant at the time of the incident.

“Initial investigations at the scene found that the suspected cause could have been a wine bottle filled with kerosene and a wick. The house sustained 20 per cent damage. There is no estimate yet on the cost of damage to the house.“

Mr Sowane urged homeowners and adult family members to be vigilant and supervise family members lighting fires and ensure proper storage of flammable items.

“The current dry and windy weather conditions are a major contributing factor to the quick spread of fires and we urge fellow Fijians to be mindful while lighting fires outdoors,” he said.