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Utulei house burns while firefighters wait for water

A couple and their three-year-old son lost their home to a spectacular blaze that broke out yesterday afternoon in Utulei. The woman and her son were at their neighbor’s house when their house caught on fire, while the husband was at work. The home in question is located next to the CCCAS Church in Utulei.

 

Samoa News arrived shortly after the fire started, which occurred a little after 12noon, with firefighters from the Central Station already at the scene. Firefighters had the fire almost under control, when the fire truck— which holds 100 gallons of water— ran out of water and the fire started again with a bloom of dark smoke followed by a burst of flames that could be seen for miles as firefighters, police officers and residents watched in awe and horror.

 

Utulei residents informed firemen that there was a fire hydrant near the house however it had been removed during the construction of the concrete road heading to the church. Fire trucks from Tafuna and Leone were then called in for assistance.

 

The first fire truck from Tafuna arrived after half an hour, with the Leone fire truck arriving 15 minutes later with more firemen. Utulei residents and off duty firemen also assisted but the fire burned the three bedroom house to the ground.

 

The woman told Samoa News that no one was in the house when the fire started, however she was worried about her father’s grave that was inside the home. Department of Public Safety officers are currently investigating, to determine how and why the fire occurred.