Over 16 families are homeless today after their bures were completely destroyed by fire at the Vacoko Prison Rehabilitation Centre last night.

The Divisional Fire Officer Central/Eastern, Qio Mocetai told Village News that about 16 bures, which is believed to be the quarters for the Church of the Poor, have been completely destroyed. He added that a community hall was also razed in the fire.

He said a report of the fire was received at about 7.25pm and two fire brigades from Suva and one from Navua attended the scene within 20 minutes. Mocetai said by then the bures were engulfed by the fire.

He added that there were no fire hydrants nearby so the firefighters had to pump water out from a nearby creek, to save eight bures. About 50 people are now occupying these bures.

Lami police confirm that there were no injuries.

A team of Police officers from Suva have gone down to the scene to conduct proper investigations this morning.