Pago Pago, American Samoa — A major fire has destroyed the Manu’a Store building in Tafuna, American Samoa in a blaze that broke out on Thursday afternoon 13 August 2026 (Friday in Apia).
Reports from bystanders and video footage showed thick smoke and flames engulfing the commercial building as firefighters responded to the scene.
According to KVZK-TV, the fire started at the back of the Manu’a Store at around 4pm before spreading and eventually consuming the entire building.
Local radio station 93KHJ also reported the blaze, posting video and photographs from the scene and reporting that the fire was burning after 5pm.
The full extent of the damage has yet to be officially assessed, and there has been no confirmed report of injuries or fatalities at this stags. The cause of the fire is also yet to be officially confirmed.
Customers and the American Samoa community are sending messages of support for the business owners, the Cheng family. Many are acknowledging their contributions to the country and in sponsoring local events and civil society group activities.
Firefighters and off-duty officers have also been complimented and acknowledged for their responsiveness and commitment to keeping everyone safe, especially in avoiding the spread to nearby buildings.
The fire comes on the same day the American Samoa Department of Health’s Environmental Health Services Division issued a notice announcing that Manu’a Store Tafuna “was reopened this morning 8/13/2026 after corrective actions.”
Three days earlier on 10 August the ASDOH had issued a notice that the Manu’a Store in Tafuna had been closed due to what it described as a “critical concern.”
No details were provided in the publicly available notice about the nature of that concern, and there is currently no evidence establishing any connection between the closure and Thursday’s fire.
Manu’a Store is a longstanding retail business in American Samoa, with operations in Tafuna and other locations.
Customers and the American Samoa community are sending messages of support for the business owners, acknowledging their contributions to the country and in sponsoring local events and civil society groups.
Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the blaze and assess the extent of the damage.
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