Arson caused the fire at Salelologa Wharf in Savaii last week that damaged three of the 11 detained fishing ships, said the Samoa Police and Corrections Services. 

Although a 13-year-old was taken for question, no charges have been laid yet.

Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SFESA) Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga said they had finished their investigation on the cause of the fire.

“The incident, the fire (that happened last week), it is suspected arson. That is why we have handed it over to police,” said Tanuvasa.

“After screening all the activity that's been suspected or was suspected in an incident like this we immediately refer the case to police.” 

In addition to examining potential ignition sources, police authorities are also looking into whether any communal or deliberate actions may have contributed to the fire. 

"They've looked at a possible communal act or something deliberately done to it," Tanuvasa added, reflecting the seriousness with which the investigation is being treated. 

In a brief phone conversation with the Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo reported that no charges have yet been made in connection with the ongoing investigation. 

The Commissioner suggested that follow-up inquiries could be made later in the afternoon, around 4 PM. However, subsequent attempts to reach the Police Commissioner were unsuccessful, as there was no response to the calls made.

The status of the burnt Chinese fishing boats at the Salelologa Wharf during the recent incident remains uncertain as inquiries continue. 

The Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Ports Authority, So'oalo Kuresa So'oalo was asked about the ships.

He replied in a text statement, “We cannot comment further as these are under police investigation. We will issue pr (press release) once we receive a police investigation report.” 

The burnt ships are still at the wharf and being kept above water. There have been no comments on what will happen to he burnt ships.

The 11 ships belonged to Apia Deep Fishing Limited. The company's office on the Matautu Wharf is closed. The ships were detained by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure for failure to pay mortgage and liens.