AYV News, June 16, 2026
The Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), John Vandy Rogers, has announced plans to establish an inter-agency investigative committee to determine the cause of the recurring fire outbreaks at Nyapui School for Girls in Kenema, following the fourth fire incident at the institution within five months.
The latest fire, which occurred on June 11, 2026, destroyed a major administrative building housing the Principal’s Office, Computer Laboratory, administrative offices, and classrooms that had been temporarily allocated to students affected by previous fire incidents.
During a visit to the school on June 13, DG Rogers, accompanied by Deputy Director General Sulaiman B. Sowa, Chief of Operations Kai Banya, and other senior NDMA officials, met with the school administration, staff, and stakeholders to assess the situation and discuss the recurring incidents.
According to the NDMA, preliminary assessments and consultations with stakeholders have raised concerns that the fires may not be accidental. To establish the facts, the Agency will constitute an investigative committee comprising representatives from security institutions, environmental agencies, and local authorities.
“We cannot continue to witness repeated fire outbreaks of this magnitude at a single educational institution without a thorough investigation,” Rogers stated, assuring that the findings of the committee would guide appropriate follow-up actions.
The NDMA has cordoned off the affected building to preserve the scene and facilitate investigations. The Agency’s Eastern Region Team also coordinated emergency response efforts with other stakeholders to bring the latest fire under control.
Rogers described Nyapui School for Girls as a nationally respected institution that attracts students from across Sierra Leone and neighbouring countries, stressing that the repeated destruction of its infrastructure poses a serious threat to education.
He further pledged that the NDMA would engage development partners to mobilise relief support and reconstruction materials to help restore normal learning conditions.
Speaking on behalf of the school, Principal, Magdalene Belmore described the impact of the repeated fires as devastating. She noted that the destruction of facilities has resulted in inadequate classroom space and accommodation for students, significantly affecting teaching and learning.
“The students are traumatised, and the situation has greatly affected effective teaching and learning. We no longer have sufficient classrooms and facilities to comfortably accommodate our students,” she said.
Mrs. Belmore appealed to the Government, development partners, and well-wishers to provide urgent assistance to help the school recover and continue its educational mission.
The NDMA has reaffirmed its commitment to working with all relevant authorities to uncover the cause of the fires and support efforts to rebuild the affected facilities and restore normalcy at the school.
