A recent investigation from the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (S.F.E.S.A.) on fire incidents shows that most result from electrical faults and this has led the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.) to meet with private electricians on this matter.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, E.P.C General Manager, Faumui Toimoana Tauiliili stressed that it is crucial for the private electricians, E.P.C as well as S.F.E.S.A to host this meeting as the safety of the country and families are in their hands.

The recent fire at the SNPF Plaza was electrical, and so was the the one at Sunrise building, Maria's Pharmacy, and the joinery workshop in Vaitele to name a few.

"The only thing we can do is to call a meeting with the private electricians and S.F.E.S.A can then voice their concerns to the private electricians about what they're experiencing with the fire incidents," he explained.

"We explained to S.F.E.S.A, regarding the majority of the issues they raised to us about the fire incidents, the E.P.C's authority is limited or stops outside where we connect the wires from the outside.

"But the internal wiring is the private electricians' part and the family who owns the house so we don't have a policy inside. The only thing we do is to inspect the house to see where we will connect the power is up to standard and safe.

"So the meeting is in the pipeline and we will host it soon."

E.P.C has a list of private electricians listed under three categories, A - electricians authorised to wire big buildings such as the government building, B - electricians who have their limited level, and C - electricians who can only wire residential homes.

Meanwhile, Faumui also stressed that the S.N.P.F. Plaza fire incident which could've gotten worse leads back to the private electrician who wired the plaza as well as the owners.

"The issue with the plaza, mind you the plaza was wired and had power ages ago and the equipment can deteriorate and can cause the problem and that's the responsibility of the Plaza, make sure everything in their complex is maintained and they do their general maintenance all the time and pay a private electrician to do regular inspections to ensure its safety," Faumui said.