This afternoon around 1 pm a fire broke out at the old Pacific Products Building at the Industrial Park in Tafuna in between Nu’uuli Vo Tech and ANZ Tafuna.
According to reports from the scene , a pile of trash being burned in the vicinity may have ignited the blaze.
Firefighters from Tafuna quickly arrived at the scene and were able to contain the fire.
Eye witnesses said most of the inside of the building was engulfed by fire but the structure was left standing.
Police cordoned off the road in both directions and traffic was halted for some time while firemen battled the blaze.
There was no effect on Nuuuli Vo Tech and ANZ Bank but workers of GHC Reid took in heavy smoke form the fire.
A private citizen at the scene praised the collaboration between fire, police, ASTCA and ASPA in responding to the fire.
He said , “We saw flames from the Pacific Products Building and we called for help. In 5 to 10 minutes all these departments and agencies were on the scene.
“Public Safety directed traffic and conducted an orderly evacuation of Voc. Tech.
“The Fire Department started hooking up their hoses and started putting out the flames.
“Fire Chief O’Brien was on the scene and was directing the firefighting efforts.”
According to the bystander, some Fletcher workers, private citizens and ANZ workers helped the fire department by pulling the hose to the fire hydrant to feed the fire truck.
There were off duty firemen who came in their private vehicles and immediately helped to fight the fire.
“ASPA and ASTCA stood close by and monitored the situation. The power remained on during all of this despite the flames being really close to the utility poles.”
The citizen said, “It is times like this I see the best in all of us. As a people and a government I was really proud of everyone involved today. They saved property and assured the public’s safety.
“Hats off to everyone especially the fire department for a job well done. . A big fa’amalo to all!
