Update: Tragic Iliili house fire

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 78-year-old bedridden man was killed in the fire that engulfed a residence in Iliili, last week, after his daughter was unable to get him out. She managed to escape the house before it was overtaken in flames. Firefighters responded to the call for assistance, unfortunately they were unable to save the man.

The fire burned the residence completely to the ground, along with a pick-up truck that was parked in the garage.

Samoa News understands the family has lost all of their personal belongings, including clothes, as well as their home. The co-workers of the one of the family members last week donated money, food and clothes to help the family through these tragic times.

Police have acknowledged that a criminal investigation is underway to determine how the fire started. To-date there has been no official word from DPS or the American Samoa Search and Rescue Agency, under which the Fire Department is now.