By Forum staff writer
Residents of Portee Junction, behind Tumark Radio in Freetown, were left shaken after a fire outbreak in the early hours of the new year caused widespread damage to homes and properties. The incident cast a gloomy atmosphere over the community, as several families watched their belongings destroyed by the flames.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as residents rushed to salvage what they could while the fire spread rapidly through affected structures. Many said the incident was particularly heartbreaking given the timing, with families hoping to begin the year on a hopeful note.
Although no official assessment has yet been released, the fire is believed to have caused significant property damage, leaving multiple households displaced. Affected residents were seen counting their losses as the fire was eventually brought under control.
“It is very painful for something like this to happen at the beginning of the year,” one resident said, adding that several families had invested their savings into preparing for the year ahead.
Local sources indicated that the cause of the fire remains unknown, though initial reports suggest it may have resulted from an electrical fault. Authorities are expected to conduct further investigations to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Firefighters, supported by community volunteers, responded swiftly and managed to contain the blaze before it could spread to nearby houses and businesses, averting what could have been a much larger disaster.
While no casualties have been officially confirmed, the fire has left several families in urgent need of assistance. Community leaders have appealed to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the Freetown City Council, and humanitarian organisations to visit the area, assess the damage, and provide immediate relief.
Residents have also renewed calls for stronger fire safety measures, improved electrical wiring standards, and faster emergency response, particularly in densely populated neighbourhoods like Portee Junction.
As investigations continue, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report potential fire hazards to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
