MONROVIA – A series of devastating fires have recently swept through Liberia, leaving many citizens homeless. Prominent lawmakers, Senator Saah Joseph and House Speaker Cllr. Fonati Koffa, are among those who lost their homes in these tragic incidents.
Senator Saah Joseph narrowly escaped a recent fire that engulfed his home in Congo Town. He and other occupants were left stranded as the flames consumed the building. The timely intervention of ‘good’ neighbors was crucial in saving their lives.
Senator Joseph’s ordeal was not an isolated incident in Congo Town. A few blocks away on London Hill, Elvis A. Tamba’s three-bedroom house was also engulfed in flames. Tamba recalled waking up in the middle of the night to the smell of burning rubber, only to find half of his house ablaze when he investigated.
On the evening of April 14, 2024, a fire broke out at Speaker Koffa’s residence in the Rehab Community, raising public concern. Details regarding any casualties remain unclear. Live videos from various online television channels captured the flames consuming the Speaker’s home, with no information available on his current whereabouts or condition.
This tragic event comes on the heels of another fire that destroyed six houses in the densely populated West Point Township. Since the beginning of the year, numerous citizens have been displaced by fire disasters, further compounded by a recent severe storm.
The escalating fires have drawn attention from religious leaders, civil society activists, and the media. They are calling on President Joseph Boakai and his Unity Party-led administration to intervene and address the rising number of fire incidents across the country.
Affected citizens, including single parents, continue to appeal to the government, local and international organizations, and humanitarian groups for assistance. They are in dire need of shelter and support to rebuild their lives in the face of these challenging circumstances.
