A fire which broke out in the early hours of Wednesday did not only destroy the Maria's Mall in Apia but also spread to its' neigbouring building causing tenants to relocate their businesses and the authorities suspect a lit cigarette butt as the cause.

The fire broke out around 6am in the morning with the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (S.F.E.S.A.) responders and Electrical Power Corporation (E.P.C.) responding to the incident. The firefighters saved a few of the properties while most of the two-storey building was damaged.

S.F.E.S.A. Commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone Mauga told Samoa Observer in an interview that the investigation unit suspects a cigarette butt as the cause of fire after initial investigations and interviews with eyewitnesses who were around the area at the time of the fire.

"The Maria's Pharmacy building was damaged and we're awaiting a report from our investigation unit but eyewitnesses said they saw the flames just outside the Talofa Airways' window and that's where it started," he said.

"It looks like someone was throwing a lit cigarette butt into the rubbish bin and we're looking at it as a cause of fire but investigations are still ongoing to confirm all of that and we are questioning people.

"Once it's confirmed then we will inform the family because they are waiting for a confirmation on the incident."

According to Tanuvasa, it's possible that someone can be charged if leads on the cigarette butt are confirmed with enough evidence.

He added that first responders from the S.F.E.S.A got to the fire on time considering the time of the emergency call and managed to save some drugs and properties and move them from the fire scene.

Meanwhile, Talofa Airways was most damaged from the fire, Maria's Pharmacy Healthcare, and TV3 also sustained damages from the fire.

Due to the extremity of the fire, TV3 broadcasting station has moved to their other office in Vaitele as the fire destroyed most of their property. The fire spread to their roof from the building next door and about five of their rooms were on fire.

TV3's employee, Vaipua Pesaleli who got to the office earlier on Wednesday before the fire broke out, said the fire took him by surprise and he fortunately managed to escape.

"I am always here before everyone else to start my shift this morning, I did the same. I came in, sat on my computer while it was still dark in the morning, and started my work," he told this newspaper.

"Just as I was about to start typing on my computer, I saw a white van from the top of my office, driving into Maria's Mall as I could see it from upstairs. 

"A few minutes or seconds after that, I heard a loud explosion from the building next door and when I ran outside my office, the fire had reached the roof.

"I ran back inside to get my things and try to see what I could save but the fire spread rapidly so I just grabbed my phone and bag and ran outside.

"By the time I got outside, the van had already gone from where it was parked so I called the emergency line for help.

"It was really unfortunate and I was really very shocked to have witnessed something like that and the fire spread so fast that I couldn't save anything from the office at the time."

Most of their machines and equipment which sustained minor damage were moved to their alternative location in Vaitele.

Owner of Maria's Pharmacy and the Talofa Airways, Maria Westerland-Hunter posted on social media about the incident.

"Dear valued customers, our Taufusi branch will be closed due to an unexpected fire this morning. We will reopen as soon we can to cater for your pharmaceutical needs," her post reads.

"Our Vaitele branch is open for all your prescription medicines and our Motootua branch will reopen as soon as we can. We apologise for any inconvenience."