Mystery surrounds how a fire started in one of the 11 fishing ships detained at the Salelologa Wharf in Savaii setting ablaze two other ships on Wednesday evening.

It is believed that the fire started between 5 pm and 6 pm with Samoa Ports Authority staff being the first to attend to it.

Firefighters from Samoa Fire and Emergency Services joined in the fight against the blaze which was threatening to spread to the other ships, all with fuel on board.

The three ships that had caught fire were towed away from the rest of the fleet in a brave joint effort to avert a major disaster.

The residents of Salelologa also joined in with some pulling hosepipes from their homes.

Fire Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga confirmed the fire emergency on Wednesday around 6.30 pm and said he was monitoring the situation through radio as the team on Savaii is trying to save other ships and buildings.

Police were also at the scene however, concerns were raised about how people including children were allowed to get close to the burning ships as seen in the many videos put on social media. The concerns were the poisonous fumes and smoke from the burning ships.

It is believed that the 11 ships belonging to a Chinese fishing fleet flagged to Vanutu had been detained for some time and moved to Salelologa during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to make space for the cruise liner the Pacific Explorer to house delegates.

They were detained by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure for non-compliance.