By Marian Magdalene Bangura
Strategic Communications Unit, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
The Chief Fire Officer of Sierra Leone, Nazri Kamanda Bongay, delivered a concise and significant update on the recent fire incident at State House during the government’s weekly press conference held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown. The session was hosted by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah.
According to Chief Bongay, the fire broke out on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at approximately 3:05 p.m. “We received an emergency call indicating that State House was on fire,” he said. “We immediately dispatched two of our brand-new fire engines to the scene.”
Upon arrival, fire officers observed that the fire had engulfed parts of the third and fourth floors, not the entire building. The firefighting operation commenced without delay. “While our teams were combating the flames, I coordinated and dispatched all available fire engines from across the Western Area. By 4:00 p.m., all units were on-site, and I led the operation personally from start to finish,” Bongay reported.
The most intense blaze was located at the central portion of the fourth floor. The east and west wings of the building experienced only minor damage, as firefighters successfully contained the fire and prevented it from spreading further. The operation was fully concluded by 7:15 p.m.
From a technical standpoint, Chief Bongay highlighted several contributing factors, including faulty wiring, circuit overload, carpets covering wooden floors, and the use of highly flammable adhesives such as Evostik, which acted as a catalyst and accelerated the spread of the fire. “The main cause of the fire was the malfunctioning of electrical appliances used in the building. Multiple air conditioners, electrical plugs, and extension cords were left switched on and unattended,” he said, adding that the fire was not caused by the national electricity provider, EDSA.
He emphasized the structural vulnerabilities of the building. “State House is a very old structure, with aging wiring systems and wooden components, especially on the floors and stairways. These are covered with carpets bonded using flammable adhesives,” he explained.
In terms of damage, some offices on the third floor were partially burnt while others were untouched. On the fourth floor, only two offices were affected. Minister Chernor Bah confirmed that the Office of the Press Secretary was badly damaged, while the office of Dr. Kandeh Yumkella was partially affected.
Bongay also mentioned that a small stairway leading above the fourth floor collapsed during the firefighting efforts. “All firefighters, including myself, were fully geared in protective clothing and operated with utmost professionalism and coordination,” he assured. “Our efforts were also bolstered by the timely support of institutions like Guma Valley Water Company, the Sierra Leone Police, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), and the National Port Authority.”
Chief Bongay further presented data on fire incidents recorded between January and April 2025. A total of 216 fire incidents were reported across the country. The Western Region recorded 119 cases, the Southern Region 35, the Northern and North-Eastern Regions 25 combined (19 in the North and 6 in the North-East), and the Eastern Region 32.
Of these, 15 fire incidents were recorded in April alone, including the State House fire and another significant blaze at the 34 Military Hospital. At the hospital, five new fire engines were dispatched, and the fire, originating from a warehouse where combustible materials exploded, was extinguished within two hours.
Chief Bongay clarified that while the NDMA records only major fire incidents, the National Fire Force documents all fire-related emergencies across the country. He concluded by extending his gratitude to all supporting agencies for their collaboration in effectively managing recent emergencies.
