AYV News, April 16, 2025
2023 Presidential Candidate for Sierra Leone’s main opposition political party, the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara has raised concerns following the fire accident at the Office of the President (State House), over the weekend and also other fire outbreaks across the country.
In a statement, Dr. Samura Kamara described the latest fire as part of a troubling pattern, warning that the nation’s heritage and institutional integrity are under serious threat. He recalled a series of recent and unexplained fire outbreaks that have affected other national institutions, including the burning of the historic Cotton Tree in central Freetown.
Dr. Samura Kamara said, “These fires are not just isolated accidents. They are striking at the very heart of our national identity and institutional memory. The lack of convincing explanations is deeply unsettling. After the destruction of the Electoral Commission offices and the remnants of the Cotton Tree, this latest fire touches the very soul of our history. It is time we, as a nation, commit ourselves to preserving our heritage. These are not just buildings, they are the physical embodiments of who we are — our struggles, our democracy, and our unity.”
Chief Fire Officer, Nazir Ahmad Alie Kamanda Bongay, has said Preliminary Investigations have revealed that the severe fire outbreak at State House was caused by electrical malfunction.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah said the government has been informed that the State House Fire was a result of the malfunctioning of an electrical appliance, which started on the 3rd floor of the House and spilled over to the 4th floor, causing severe damage to the House.
Earlier, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh conducted an on-site inspection of the recent fire incident at the State House, where he received detailed briefing from the Chief Fire Officer and key personnel on the emergency response measures undertaken and a preliminary assessment of the damage.
He inspected the third and fourth floors of the building, where the damage is most severe, and also visited the Office of the President on the second floor.
Following the inspection, the Vice President convened a high-level Interagency Response Team. This team comprises representatives from various critical sectors including law enforcement agencies, engineering experts, the Ministry of Works and Public Assets, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), and other relevant institutions.
The newly formed Response Team has been tasked with the crucial responsibilities of:
• Conducting a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire.
• Assessing the full extent of infrastructural and operational damage.
• Developing clear and actionable recommendations for recovery and restoration.
The Vice President will chair daily situation briefings with the Response Team, underscoring the government’s commitment to a swift and effective response. An initial report from the team is expected within one week.
Speaking to the media, concerned citizens emphasised the need for accountability and preventive measures: “This is a matter of national importance. We must understand what happened, why it happened, and how it can be prevented in the future. We are calling for a thorough investigation and forensic audit to determine the root cause and ensure such an incident does not recur.”
