Fire Disrupts Teuila & Independence celebrations at busy lunch hour

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 08 SEPTEMBER 2022: The Teuila and 60^th Independence entertainment were disrupted heading into lunchtime today as police cordoned off the main section of Beach Road directly opposite the STA Village and Friendship Park where the activities were in progress.

Across the road, thick smoke started billowing from the back of an old building next to the Catholic Cathedral.

Police Inspector Cal Aumua who was at the scene said quick response from the Fire Department prevented what could have been a major disaster if the fire had spread to the other buildings close by.

He said the Fire department received a call about a kitchen that was on fire at a building next to the Catholic Cathedral at Mulivai, and three fire trucks were immediately dispatched to the location.

Asked what caused the fire, he said the investigation will determine what caused it but it is suspected that someone had burnt rubbish next to the church hall then left without putting it out.

Watching as the smoke from the fire thickens.

It was a bright sunny and windy day and the fire quickly spread towards the outside kitchen and part of the church hall. In direct danger was the over 100 years old building that houses a restaurant and a shop specialising in goods pertaining to the Catholic faith. The valuable items such as statutes were quickly removed to a safe place as smoke billowed from the back of the building.

The buildings in the immediate vicinity of the fire include the Cathedral, church hall and the priests’ residence. Separated by a carpark to the west, were the Methodist commercial building that houses the new Samoa Airways offices.

According to Inspector Aumua, the fire happened in the middle of town where many people gathered to attend not only the 60^th independence celebration but also the Teuila activities.

The police concern of what could have gone worse was evident in their quick response to re-direct traffic and people and the Fire Brigade stationing fire trucks in-front of the Catholic Church and the other in-front of the Samoa Post Office in readiness for things if they got worse.