A gas tank explosion is suspected as the cause of a fire which has left Samoa’s iconic flea market at Savalalo in ashes.
The fire started Saturday night and the whole building was razed to the ground., fanned by strong winds that night.
Travelers from American Samoa know that the flea market was a place to get a bargain on everything from tapa printed fashion, to handicrafts, to music and movie DVDs, to round pancakes or a plate of chicken.
It’s estimated that the losses from the fire would be in the millions of tala .
Yesterday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi met with key government officials to co-ordinate a course of action in response to the destruction caused by the fire.
Tuilaepa said he was relieved to know that there was no loss of life, and there are no reports of anyone being seriously hurt from the fire.
He said this is still a busy time for flea market vendors so he sympathizes with all those who have suffered losses because of this unfortunate incident.
The PM said the government is moving quickly to find a new place for displaced vendors to restart their businesses.
He said, “We are urgently looking in to what caused this fire, and also looking at the best way forward for small business owners who are now facing a tougher start to this new year.
“I’ve asked key government agencies to report back to me before the end of today, with updates on what caused the fire, what we are facing in terms of damage, their assessments and recommendations on the kinds of possible assistance for the future of all small business operators affected by the fire.”
Options being considered are possible relocation of flea-market stalls and shops to the under-utilized Vaitele Market; or setting up large tents, which had been used when Samoa hosted the UN SIDS conference, to accommodate the vendors.
The Prime Minister said it’s important to quickly find ways to help these small businesses, because they represent the livelihoods of so many families, not forgetting the important service they provide to support Samoa’s tourism industry and economic mainstay.
The Prime Minister also confirmed that government will be looking to Fire and Emergency Services Authority for guidance on how to avoid similar incidents in the future.
