Seven charged for arson in Faleula fire

Staff Reporters/

Apia, SAMOA – 01 July 2024 – Police have charged seven men from Faleula village with arson for allegedly burning down a family home and a mechanical workshop early last month.

The men have been released on bail pending their court appearance on 8 July.

Police said fire is alleged to have started from Molotov cocktails that were thrown from behind the bushes that burnt and destroyed a mechanical workshop, vehicles and expensive tools.

The fire occurred the day after an altercation between the Faleula MP and high chief Loau Keneti Sio and his relatives who approached him at his home to discuss land issues that are under the Faleula village council.

According to Loau, the meeting escalated into an altercation and led to him and his wife being charged for assault and uttering threatening words.

Loau also filed a counter complaint where four members of the Uele family were charged by police.

The fire occurred the day after the altercation and led to the village council banishing members of the Uele family from the village.