SAMOA – An explosion followed by a raging inferno at the main fuel depot in Samoa’s capital, Apia, on Monday local time killed one person and injured one other.

The massive fire broke out at the main wharf, and saw government offices and businesses evacuated from nearby for most of the day.

RNZ International’s correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, said several investigations had been launched into the incident, but it was believed to have started while maintenance work was being carried out.

The tank’s owner, Petroleum Products Supplies (PPS), said in a statement that at no time was there any risk to the public.

In its statement, PPS said there was an explosion at one of its tanks on the wharf at Matautu-tai at about 10 am.

One person died at the scene while another was treated and discharged from hospital.

As a precaution, it said, the main fuel terminal at Sogi was shut down immediately, but the terminal has since reopened and normal operations have resumed.

The fire was extinguished when a truck with special foam came from Faleolo International Airport.

Reports said thousands of people had been evacuated from the surrounding area after the tanker caught fire.

Images on social media showed plumes of thick black smoke billowing out from the large tank at Matautu wharf, the gateway for cruise ships entering the Pacific nation.

A senior police official said there was an initial a fear that the other two tanks at the depot could explode and that was why the area had been evacuated.

Firefighters and trucks from all over Upolu responded to the fire in the capital.

Samoa born Labour MP Su’a William Sio said he was in contact with friends in Apia.

“Police and the fire service cordoned off the area to stop the fire from spreading to the other two tanks,” he said.

“It’s concerning because that whole area is quite busy with several restaurants, clubs and about four accommodation areas, plus shipping and customs offices for with several hundred staff.”

The Samoa Observer reported that one person died in the fire.

“One of the workers was doing maintenance work, apparently they were doing welding and he might have fallen off the tank,” reporter Lanu Tusani said. She said firefighters also suffered smoke inhalation.

PPS said the prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, has requested assistance from the Australian, New Zealand, and United States governments to help with an inquiry to ensure such an incident doesn’t happen again.

- PNC sources