After a successful signing of an MOU with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the PNG Fire Service, residents are calling for the distribution of fire extinguishers.
Public servants residing in government houses and also business houses within the vicinity of Buka town and surrounding suburbs are first on the list who want them.
A house belonging to the NBC Manager in Buka, which was recently burnt down, this has prompted other residents to call authorities to act.
Contractors given new houses to build should include fire extinguishers to be installed in all newly built houses and also for extinguishers to be placed in the existing ones.
A resident in the government estate of Kubu, Paul Bai told PNG Loop that the risk of another fire starting again is very imminent, and that houses do not have escape doors too.
“We have already seen two houses catching fire here in Kubu, but were saved due to swift reaction by neighbours. One was burned to ash and the occupants lost everything,” Bai said.
“To prevent this from happening again we need to take precautions and we need materials like fire extinguishers, fire blankets and also drills on how to kill or avoid fires,” he said.
Buka town is in a very big risk of fire because with the MOU signed recently even the housing commission and building board need to be represented, if a fire safety board is created.
The coconut oil mill, the wharf and the airport and all other stores and building are all stuck close together and just a single spark will put Buka town into ashes.