Fire causes panic at centre

PEOPLE dashed for safety as thick smoke from a fire filled the International Convention Centre in Port Moresby on Monday.
Fortunately, the fire was a small one and firemen were able to have things in control quickly.
The main issues were breathing difficulties experienced by some of the occupants and the start of a four-day Startup PNG ’19 Convention being put off until next month.
Two fire trucks and firemen equipped with breathing apparatus helped people out of the Waigani building that was covered in smoke quite quickly.
The cause of the fire was yet to be determined but Waigani Fire Station commander Supt Farapo Arifeae said: “The smoke quickly travelled through the building through the air-condition ducts and reached every room in the building.
“The people who were already outside assisted the firemen to help everyone evacuate the building. Although the evacuees were having trouble breathing, there were no major casualties”
The convention, according to the event organiser, Kumul Foundation, will now be held from Dec 10 to 13 at the Apec Haus in downtown Port Moresby.
Chairman Anthony Smare said: “We regret to advise that there was a serious electrical fire incident around 4pm on Mon at the International Convention Centre.
“Thankfully none of the 200 set-up personal were injured and we commend the quick thinking of Monni Cross and his ICC team and the Waigani PNG Fire Service for evacuating everyone safely.
“Sadly, the incident has rendered the venue powerless, and thus unusable indefinitely. We have no option but to defer the event.
“All passes and tickets issued will be valid for those dates as well.”
Arifeae said: “A PNG Power team also arrived at the fire scene (on Monday) and it will do an assessment and determine the cause of the fire.”
Meanwhile, a BSP ATM at SNS North Waigani and Ekivaki Primary School in Hohol also reported fires related to electricity supply or connections.
Arifeae urged the public to be careful with their electrical appliances and power switches at home. He advised the public to switch their electrical appliances and power switches off immediately after a blackout and switch them on some time after power resumes.