The National Fire Authority had to call police for assistance to put out a house fire in Nawaka village in Nadi yesterday after the owner of the house refused to let them put out the fire.

NFA Nadi attended to a fire incident yesterday evening which completely destroyed a four bedroom house, however, when arriving at the scene, the fire crew was confronted by the home owner who was wielding a cane knife, stopping the crew from entering his premises to extinguish the fire.

The fire crew contacted the police for assistance on the scene, whereby they arrived and managed to stabilize the home owner, allowing firefighters to proceed with their work.

Firefighters managed to quickly contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby homes in the village.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire resulted from a domestic dispute.

The case is now being handled by the police.

Meanwhile, four people have been left homeless after their eight bedroom house in Vunicuicui, Labasa, was completely destroyed in a fire last night.

Police confirmed the incident occurred after the firewood which was used for cooking was left burning.

Family members who were sleeping inside the house managed to flee on time.

The estimated cost of damage stands at around $70,000.