November 18, 2021
By Hafsatu Z Bangura
At least one confirmed dead in a fire accident that engulfed the government wharf community leaving many homeless and property worth millions of Leones destroyed, a week after a tanker explosion killing dozens of people at the East End of Freetown.
Eyewitness and business owner by the name of Vandi said that the incident may have been caused by a madman that was preparing his meal, when the fire started but was unable to alert members of the community and fled away from the scene, and few minutes later the fire escalated and spread unto the adjoining houses burning houses, shops and properties damaged.
Mr. Vandi said a major reason as to why the fire escalated was due to insufficient water, he said they had little or no water at the moment, and that the electricity power house was located there and that they tried reaching EDSA but to no avail.
The issue of fire accidents has been a major concern in Sierra Leone, this has generated much discussion centering on rumors relating to politics, sabotage, misfortune, religious differences etc. authority say in 2021 alone the country has recorded more fire incidents than flooding in the capital said Mr. Thomas Lebbie Director and Risk Reduction, National Disaster Management Agency said they have observed several things as to why the fire engulfed the community but it is sudden to be specific as to what caused it.
Mr. Lebbie noted that aside from the one reported death they are still in search to assert if other person or persons is involve.
We are aware and recording all disasters as they keep unfolding in the country, we are planning to have emergency meeting for citizens to know their own responsibility on disaster and risk prevention Mr. Lebbie said.
Yvonne Aki-Sawyer is the mayor of Freetown municipality she disclosed that the council I have no budget allocation for disasters but that they are required to provide intervention when disasters in the municipality.
We will be engaging with the wards councilors on this she noted. We have always been providing intervention for affected communities but on a very mega base she said.
According to Madam Aki-Sawyer her municipality, Madam Aki-Sawyer commended Sierra Leone fire force for its good work in putting out fire but that they are serious challenge which need quick intervention.
Chief Officer Nazir Kamanda Bongay said they were at the Aberdeen when they received a call that a fire disaster was happening at the government wharf and due to their timely effort they were able to put situations under control. He advised people to be cautioned and careful at all times