Apia Samoa Temple - Fire and Reconstruction

Fire and Reconstruction

The fire that destroyed the temple was on July 9, 2003. Although the cause of the fire is unknown, no one was hurt due to it being closed for expansion and renovation. The fire occurred in the evening after workers had gone home. One week later, on July 16, 2003, The First Presidency sent a letter to the people of the area telling them that the temple would be rebuilt. A couple months later on October 19, 2003 the site was rededicated and a groundbreaking ceremony was held. As part of the construction process, the Church demolished a church building on the property and built a new chapel across the street from the temple. On January 25, 2005 the angel Moroni statue that had survived the fire was placed on the spire of the new building.