Health Worries from Odor after Frankie Hypermarket Fire

2026-02-18 - 19:18

The principal of Saina Primary School, Mr Ionatana Vaaelua, says a strong odor was first noticed last Friday, believed to be coming from the massive fire that destroyed the Frankie Hypermarket. He explained that at first the smell was mild, but over the weekend it became very strong, affecting both students and families living around the school area. According to the Principal, when students and teachers returned on Monday, it was difficult for them to sit comfortably inside the school compound due to the odor. Families living nearby also reported experiencing the same problem. Over the weekend, many students and staff were seen wearing masks because of how strong the smell had become. The school quickly put safety measures in place, including asking students and teachers to wear masks to protect their health. The principal said they were also prepared to temporarily close the school if the odor became worse, in order to ensure students’ safety. He added that the school contacted Frankie Hypermarket management to inform them about the situation, especially the impact on students. The management responded on Monday and began working to address the issue. The principal noted that if there had been no improvement by Tuesday, the school was prepared to report the matter to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education so authorities could step in for safety reasons. At present, the principal says the odor has begun to decrease, and he expressed appreciation to Frankie Hypermarket management for responding quickly to their concerns. He also confirmed there have been no reported illnesses at the school related to the situation. The school’s main concern remains protecting students’ health and the environment so their learning will not be affected. About 500 students are currently enrolled at the school, with 16 teachers. The school previously had eight classes, but this has now increased to 16 after classes were split due to growing enrollment. Most classes currently have between 70 and 80 students, while Year 1 previously had as many as 89 students before being divided. The official recommended ratio is about 30 students per teacher, but at present many classes still have around 40 to 45 students per teacher. The Principal stressed that student health remains the top priority, and the school will continue monitoring the situation closely to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students.