The Apia sky was lit by a massive fire which destroyed the building next to Sunrise Restaurant in Togafu'afu'a Road on Wednesday night as firefighters fought hard to stop the spread of the flames from the inferno to adjacent buildings.

It is believed that the fire started around 8pm and quickly turned into a massive blaze which lit up the Apia night skies orange. This is the second fire in the vicinity in as many weeks. 

Last week, Maria’s Pharmacy was destroyed and it was attributed to an electrical fault.

The Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority managed to ensure that neighbouring buildings did not catch fire although some sustained damages. Fire Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga marshalled his firefighters and they were still at the scene ensuring that the fire was completely out as this edition went to press.

The strong winds made it hard for the firefighters as the breeze at one point in time pushed the flames towards buildings situated on Vaea Road. The tenants and businesses in neighbouring buildings ran to empty their shop and office spaces with bystanders helping.

Vaea Street was crowded with onlookers with most of them filming the scene. Residents of nearby buildings also scattered and some were in tears as the blaze became threatening with the wind.

The change in the wind direction ensured that the blaze did not spread to the neighbouring buildings as the firefighters blasted water onto the fire from at least six fire trucks.

The Electric Power Corporation was also quick to cut off electricity to ensure the safety of people and the buildings.

At this point in time, it is not confirmed how the fire started in the building. The place is believed to have been closed when the fire started.

SFESA spent most of the night and into early morning at the scene of the fire. An investigation would be done to find the cause of the fire, it is also not yet known how much damage the fire has caused.