The National University of Samoa (N.U.S) was engulfed in chaos on Wednesday when a fire broke out in a building behind the car park area of the institute next to the rugby field.

The building, located next to the university's media room, was being devoured by flames as students and faculty watched in horror.

Firefighters from the Fire and Emergency Services Authority arrived in time to extinguish the fire, their efforts capturing the attention of onlookers.

"Parents and those visiting the compound are aware that smoking is prohibited in the institute, and that particular area was a non-smoking area,"  a witness told the Samoa Observer.

In an exclusive interview with the Samoa Observer, F.E.S.A Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga confirmed that no one was injured during the fire and praised the swift and professional response of the authorities.

"The authorities had a quick response when N.U.S contacted for help and I commend the hard work put in by our firefighters," he said.

The cause of the fire was suspected to be a carelessly discarded cigarette butt according to witnesses. The building, which housed the university's rubbish and trash, was cleared only twice a week.

Tanuvasa stressed that this was not an isolated incident, as the authority had noticed an increase in fire-related incidents in the country since July of last year. He urged the public to be more vigilant and cautious to prevent such disasters in the future.

As the authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire, the National University of Samoa will need to assess the damage and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of its students and staff. This alarming incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of carelessness and the importance of fire safety measures.