A home in Malaeloa caught fire in the early hours of last Saturday morning displacing close to 20 family members and sending a 20 year old to the hospital with severe burns.

A family member said the large sized home all went up in flames except for a small section of the house that’s still standing but is uninhabitable. As of today the 20 year old who suffered serious burns is still hospitalized.

According to the family member who spoke with KHJ News, they waited for nearly two hours for fire trucks to arrive from the Fagatogo station. She believed that part of the home could have been saved if the firetrucks had arrived earlier. She questioned why a firetruck was not stationed at Tafuna.

According to the relative nothing could be salvaged from the burning house.

The displaced family is in need of assistance to help get back on their feet. There are about 10 teenagers and 8 adults
They are in need of clothing, food, cooking utensils, bedding and other basic necessities. The Red Cross has offered assistance. If you want to help call 252-3436 or 258-5579.