Samoan Temple Destroyed by Fire

Apia, Samoa—The Apia Samoa Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening, 9 July 2003.

The temple was being renovated and enlarged to add an expanded baptismal font and was scheduled to be rededicated in October. The cause of the blaze is believed to be related to the construction project.

Located on a 1.7-acre site near a Church school and the Church's mission home in Pesega, Samoa, the temple was completed in 1983 and dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

The temple featured a modern design with a masonry exterior finish over concrete block and a cedar shake-shingle roof. Total floor space was 14,560 square feet.

It is expected that the temple will be rebuilt, but that decision will be made later by the Church's First Presidency.

The Deseret News  July 10, 2003

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