By Hassan Osman Kargbo
A horrifying fire broke out at Upgun, located at the East of Freetown, in the early hours of March 10, 2025, causing irreparable damage to property and leaving the local community and ‘Freetonians’ as a whole devastated.
The fire, which started at around midnight, destroyed more than 200 vehicles, severely impacted over 20 shops, and led to a financial loss estimated at over 500 million Leones. Business owners are now calling on the government and its partners to assist them in recovering from the disaster.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire began when most business owners had already closed their shops and left for their homes, unfortunately meaning that the majority of the property owners were unable to prevent or minimize the damage. The fire quickly engulfed a large portion of the commercial area, reducing shops, vehicles, and personal belongings to smoldering ruins.
Among the victims, two business owners, deeply affected by the fire, shared their stories, expressing their shock and grief over the massive destruction.
Mohamed Jalloh, a mechanic who has been working at Upgun for over a decade, watched in horror as his livelihood was reduced to ashes in a matter of hours. His small shop, where he had repaired countless vehicles and built a loyal customer base, was completely destroyed in the blaze.
“Last night was the worst night of my life,” said Jalloh, his voice shaking with emotion. “I spent years building my business. I had just invested in new tools and equipment, thinking it would help me provide better service. But now, it’s all gone. The fire took everything. My vehicles, my tools, and even my reputation. It’s like my whole world has crumbled in front of my eyes.”
Jalloh estimated his total losses to be around 50 million Leones, a sum that is nearly impossible for him to recover without assistance. His shop was located in one of the most vulnerable parts of the area, where the flames spread uncontrollably, leaving no chance for him or his employees to salvage anything.
“I’m calling on the government and everyone who can help. We need assistance to rebuild our businesses. This loss is too much for us to bear alone,” he pleaded.
Fatmata Kamara, a local shop owner who ran a small but thriving store in the area, was also devastated by the fire. Her shop, which had been passed down to her from her late mother, sold clothing, household items, and groceries. Like many others, Kamara’s shop was completely wiped out by the flames. She spoke with tears in her eyes as she recalled the events of that fateful night.
“I don’t know what to say. Everything I worked for is gone,” Kamara said, her voice barely above a whisper. “My shop was more than just a business to me; it was my family’s legacy. Now, I have nothing. I had just stocked up on supplies, thinking I was preparing for a busy season. I didn’t expect my life’s work to be destroyed overnight.”
Kamara estimated that the fire had caused her a loss of over 30 million Leones. “It’s not just about the money; it’s the memories, the effort, the hours spent making sure my business thrived. It feels like I’ve lost part of myself,” she continued, wiping away a tear.
The local community is rallying around the victims, but it is clear that without government intervention and support, many of the small business owners will struggle to recover from this catastrophe. The fire’s intensity and the sheer scale of the destruction have left the victims with little hope of rebuilding their businesses on their own.
The community around Upgun is in desperate need of assistance. With hundreds of thousands of Leones in damages, property owners are calling on the government to step in and help them recover. “We need immediate financial aid and resources to help us rebuild,” Jalloh urged.
Kamara echoed similar sentiment, emphasizing the importance of support from both the government and humanitarian partners. “We are all in this together, and without help, we will never be able to recover from such a massive loss.”
As the community comes to terms with the aftermath of this devastating fire, the cries for help grow louder. The resilience of the people in the area is clear, but they cannot rebuild without the necessary resources. It is now up to the government and charitable organizations to come forward and provide the much-needed assistance to help the victims of the Upgun fire regain their livelihoods.
The tragic event serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of small businesses to disasters and the urgent need for better fire prevention and safety measures in densely populated commercial areas like Upgun. For now, however, the community’s focus remains on rebuilding, hoping for a brighter future despite the dark cloud of loss that hangs over them.
