By Sallieu S. Kanu
Sierra Leone has witnessed a sharp increase in fire incidents in 2025, with 201 outbreaks recorded nationwide between January and March,. These incidents resulted in 31 fatalities across 13 fires.
Chief Fire Officer Nazir Kamanda Bongay told a regular news conference in Freetown on Tuesday that the Western Region reported the highest number of cases (119), followed by the Southern Region (35), Eastern Region (32), North-East Region (19), and North-West Region (6). In April alone, 15 additional fires have been reported, including incidents at the State House and 34 Military Hospital.
Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Brima Sesay, attributed the rise in fire outbreaks to human negligence. He urged citizens to turn off electrical appliances before leaving their homes and announced nationwide awareness campaigns to mitigate risks. The NDMA has recorded 78 fire incidents so far this year and encourages the public to report emergencies via the toll-free line 1199.
State House Fire Response and Findings
Chief Fire Officer said Saturday, April 13, the National Fire Force responded to a distress call at 3:05 p.m. regarding a fire at the State House. Firefighters arrived within 15 minutes, utilizing two brand-new fire engines and receiving support from other commanders in the Western Area. The blaze, which severely affected offices on the 3rd and 4th floors, was contained after four hours. No injuries or casualties were reported.
Kamanda Bongay praised the effective collaboration among government institutions during the operation. Preliminary investigations revealed the fire was caused by malfunctioning electrical appliances, including switches and air conditioners left on, substandard electrical extensions, and poor wiring systems.