Two people, including a 10-year-old boy, have died following a major commercial property fire at S.D.S Earthmoving & Transport Ltd in Laucala Beach.

The National Fire Authority (NFA) said the victims were an adult woman and the child, whose bodies were discovered by firefighters while extinguishing the blaze on 11 July 2026.

Firefighters from the Valelevu Fire Station spotted a large column of smoke at about 8:11am while on routine duties and immediately alerted the National Command Centre.

Additional crews and equipment were then dispatched from the Suva Fire Station.

When crews arrived, they found four interconnected commercial buildings engulfed in flames. Firefighters launched a large-scale response using multiple fire appliances, a pump relay system and water supplied from the nearest fire hydrant.

The fire was brought under control after nearly two hours of intensive firefighting efforts.

The scene was then secured and handed over to the Fiji Police Force’s Forensics Unit, while NFA investigators began examining the cause of the blaze.

The affected property, measuring about 60 metres by 25 metres, sustained an estimated 98 per cent damage.

The cause of the fire, the cost of the damage and the property’s insurance status have yet to be determined.

Despite the extensive destruction, firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading to neighbouring commercial properties, including Value City Warehouse and Tuki Rawa Investment, preventing further losses.

NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane expressed condolences to the family of the victims, describing the incident as a tragic reminder of the devastating impact fires can have on families and communities.

He urged members of the public to report fires immediately by calling the 910 emergency line,