MONROVIA, LIBERIA – An independent investigation by the Fire Rescue Alliance (FRA) has concluded that the fire which devastated Liberia’s Capitol Building in December 2024 was deliberately set. The report, submitted to the Liberia National Police (LNP) on March 4, 2025, ruled out accidental causes and described the blaze as an intentional act of arson fueled by accelerants.
According to the FRA report, the fire originated near the Speaker’s podium in the legislative joint chamber, which sustained the most extensive damage. Investigators found that the flames traveled rapidly up the wood-paneled wall behind the podium, spread across the west wall balcony, and eventually reached the ceiling. The report suggests that flammable materials, including foam chairs and carpeting, accelerated the fire’s spread.
A significant finding from the investigation was the discovery of eight one-gallon containers positioned near key exit points. FRA experts believe these containers, which were absent during a legislative session held the previous day, were deliberately placed to block escape routes and intensify the fire. This discovery raised suspicions about the perpetrators’ intent to cause maximum destruction and hinder evacuation.
Forensic analysis further revealed the use of ignitable liquids to accelerate the blaze. Burn patterns and physical evidence indicated that the fire’s rapid spread was consistent with the presence of an accelerant. Witnesses also reported hearing windows shatter on the building’s west side, which investigators say allowed more oxygen to enter and intensified the flames.
Electrical malfunction has been definitively ruled out as a cause. The FRA report found no evidence of electrical faults, such as arcing or short-circuiting, in the area where the fire began. Additionally, previous vandalism had already severed external electrical conductors, and maintenance staff confirmed that air conditioning units were not operational during the time of the fire.
The investigation was led by a team of retired U.S. fire chiefs, Jerry Streich, Ken Prillaman, and Mark Lynde, who arrived in Monrovia on February 28, 2025.Their examination, which followed international fire investigation standards, began with a briefing from Liberian law enforcement officials. The team conducted a thorough site inspection on March 1 and concluded their inquiry on March 2, turning over physical evidence to the LNP.
The FRA report emphasizes that the fire’s origin, the absence of natural or accidental causes, and the presence of accelerants point conclusively to arson. The placement of the containers near exit points, according to investigators, indicates a deliberate attempt to obstruct evacuation and increase the severity of the blaze.
The December 18, 2024, fire, which started at approximately 6:20 a.m., caused severe structural damage to the Capitol Building. While no casualties were reported, the incident disrupted legislative activities and exposed significant vulnerabilities in the security of government facilities.
The FRA’s findings increase pressure on the Liberia National Police to identify and prosecute those responsible. With the investigation confirming intentional arson, calls are mounting for a full criminal inquiry to uncover the motive behind the attack and hold the perpetrators accountable.
