Following the recent fire outbreak at State House, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has swiftly constituted a multi-agency response team to investigate the incident, assess the extent of infrastructural damage, and formulate recommendations for future prevention.
This was disclosed by Minister Bah during a press briefing on Thursday morning in Freetown.
The investigative team comprises representatives from various key institutions, including law enforcement agencies, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), professional and private engineering firms, and the Ministry of Works and Public Assets. Their mandate is to conduct a thorough inquiry into the cause and impact of the fire, as well as to propose measures to safeguard State House and other government buildings against similar incidents in the future.
Swift fire response and preliminary findings
Providing an update on the fire response, Chief Fire Officer Nazir Kamanda Bongay of the National Fire Force detailed that they received a distress call at 3:05 p.m. on Saturday, April 13th, alerting them to the blaze at State House. Firefighters arrived at the scene within a commendable 15 minutes, utilizing two brand-new fire engines. They were subsequently supported by other fire commanders and resources within the Western Area.
Mr. Bongay reported that the fire, which significantly impacted offices located on the 3rd and 4th floors of the State House complex, took approximately four hours to be fully contained. Importantly, no injuries or casualties were recorded as a result of the incident. The Chief Fire Officer lauded the effective collaboration and coordination among various government institutions during the firefighting operation, highlighting the efficiency of the response.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the National Fire Force point towards an electrical fire as the likely cause of the outbreak. Specific findings from the initial assessment include evidence of electrical switches and air conditioning units being left on when not in use, as well as the concerning discovery of substandard electrical extensions and poor wiring systems within the affected areas. These factors are believed to have contributed to the electrical malfunction that ignited the fire.
Alarming national fire incident statistics
Chief Fire Officer Bongay also provided a concerning overview of national fire incident statistics. He revealed that between January and March 2025 alone, the National Fire Force recorded a total of 201 fire outbreaks across Sierra Leone. A regional breakdown of these incidents shows a significant concentration in the Western Region, which accounted for 119 cases. The Southern Region recorded 35 incidents, followed by the North-East Region with 19, the Eastern Region with 32, and the North-West Region with the lowest number at 6.
The situation appears to be worsening in the current month, with 15 fire incidents already recorded in April. These include the significant fire at State House and a separate incident at the 34 Military Hospital, underscoring the urgent need for increased fire safety awareness and preventive measures.
NDMA highlights rise in fire outbreaks, urges public vigilance
Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Brima Sesay, corroborated the alarming trend, noting a significant increase in fire outbreaks in the first four months of 2025 compared to the previous year. In contrast, 2024 saw building collapses as the dominant disaster category, with 13 incidents resulting in a tragic 31 fatalities.
Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Sesay attributed the concerning rise in fire incidents primarily to human negligence. He strongly urged the public to exercise greater caution and to ensure that all electrical appliances are switched off before leaving their homes or offices. The NDMA has recorded a total of 78 fire incidents between January and April 2025 and has initiated nationwide awareness campaigns aimed at mitigating the escalating risk. To facilitate prompt reporting and response, the NDMA has activated a toll-free emergency line, 1199, accessible across all mobile networks in Sierra Leone.
The swift action by Vice President Jalloh in establishing the multi-agency investigation team reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the State House fire incident comprehensively and implementing measures to prevent future occurrences. The preliminary findings pointing to electrical malfunctions serve as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations and the potential consequences of negligence. The NDMA’s call for public vigilance and the alarming national fire statistics underscore the urgent need for a concerted effort to enhance fire safety awareness and prevention across Sierra Leone.
ABJ/APA