Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 3-day weekend did not start well for four families in Fagaima when a fire destroyed their homes, last week Thursday, June 18, 2026, with reportedly a total of 17 people, now homeless.

TEMCO and the Red Cross have reportedly conducted their assessments, and with Tafuna Pulenu'u, Liz Taylor-Taliloa working closely with the affected families, at this time it can be confirmed that the displaced families are currently staying with relatives or friends, according to Faipule Fagaima Larry Sanitoa, who is part of the ‘on the ground’ coordination process to help the them.

The Tualauta faipule has asked the Department of Search And Rescue (DSAR) for its continued support in finding ways to help these families.

He was responding to DSAR deputy director Dr. Akenese Nikolao’s response, dated Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 10:48 PM, to his email updating DSAR about their efforts to confirm the exact number of affected families, adults, and children.

“In the meantime, I am looking into housing options for them. Do you know of any agencies or departments that might be able to assist with temporary accommodation?” Fagaima asked.

Dr. Nikolao thanked him for the update and for his leadership on the ground, agreeing that working closely with the Pulenu’u and “routing this through Samoan Affairs to secure accurate numbers and establish the village-level coordination” was on track.

In the same email, she recommended that to expand on temporary housing and urgent care, dispatching the following agencies or departments, as they may have the direct capacity to handle emergency lodging, shelter and specialized assistance:  

1. American Red Cross (American Samoa Chapter);

2. DHSS (Department of Human and Social Services)- Director Panisia Nepali;

3. OPAD (Office of Protection and Advocacy for the Disabled)- Director Dora Ah Sue;

4. Voluntary & Community Groups (Salvation Army / ASVOAD); and

5. DHS (Department of Homeland Security) - Director Glen Lefiti

Dr. Nikolao added “the Governor’s EA for the Health and Human Service Ecosystem (Ms. Bethany Toelupe) for any needed coordination.”

She said DSAR “genuinely wants to make sure these families are safely sheltered tonight and assist your efforts with coordinating with the needed groups.”

In an email to Fagaima, according to Pulenu’u Taylor-Taliloa fire debris clean up has already began; and, there has been no ‘leoleo’ on site during the two days the clean up has been happening.

To date, there has been no word — official or otherwise — on what allegedly caused the Fagaima fire that burned the (3) houses, causing the 4 families to lose their homes. No injuries from the fire have been reported.