CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA – The House of Representatives has summoned the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS), the Liberia National Police (LNP), and the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) to appear before Plenary on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, to provide a full and official account of the mysterious fire incident that killed five members of a single household in the Shara Community along Duport Road. The decision followed a formal communication from Montserrado County District #4 Representative, Hon. Michael Thomas, who raised grave concerns over the November 14 tragedy that has gripped the nation with shock, suspicion, and unanswered questions.
According to Hon. Thomas, the LNFS, LNP, and LEC responded promptly on the night of the incident and began initial investigations but have since failed to release any public findings. This silence, he said, has fueled widespread speculation and stirred anxiety within a community desperate for transparency. “As the representative of the district where this heartbreaking incident occurred, I have taken a vested interest in ensuring that our constituents receive clarity,” Hon. Thomas stated. “The absence of official findings has intensified tensions and confusion within the community.”
The fire, which occurred at about 11:00 p.m., claimed the lives of community chairlady Mrs. Deiode Garnette, her daughter Judee, her son Isaac, and two grandchildren, Christopher Freeman and Ruth Fleming. Their deaths have left the Shara Community traumatized and searching for answers as disturbing inconsistencies continue to emerge. What was first reported as a tragic house fire has now triggered intense public scrutiny amid concerns that the victims’ bodies showed no clear burn marks typically associated with fire-related deaths.
Plenary’s decision to summon the three major state institutions reflects mounting pressure from citizens, activists, and local leaders who believe that the government must move beyond silence and speculation. The House described the situation as one that threatens public confidence if not urgently addressed, stressing that its oversight responsibility requires full disclosure from the investigating bodies. The family’s burial on November 29, attended by Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah and Auditor General P. Garswa Jackson, did little to bring closure. Instead, it heightened public concern over why no autopsy was conducted before burial and why authorities appeared to avoid providing clarity.
Adding to the intensity of public demand for answers, Hassan Fadiga, former Deputy Director-General for Operations at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), took to Facebook in a widely circulated post titled “Tragedy in Duport Road, Shara Community, a search for answers.” Fadiga revealed that many residents had contacted him directly, urging him to help raise the alarm. He questioned why a case involving multiple unexplained deaths had proceeded without basic investigative procedures. “Was an arson investigation conducted?” he asked. “Was an autopsy performed to determine the precise cause of death? If not, why were the victims buried without these critical steps?”
Fadiga further stressed that speaking to the spouse of the deceased chairlady is crucial for a complete investigation and should not be interpreted as an accusation. He argued that investigators must establish whether marital issues existed or whether there were events leading up to the tragedy that could help shed light on the cause of death.
Public suspicion deepened when resident Laurina Gaye openly accused the deceased chairlady’s husband, Mr. Isaac H. Garnett, Sr., of being responsible for the deaths. Gaye claimed that upon viewing the bodies, she noticed no signs of burns, leading her to believe that the victims may have been killed before the fire started. While her allegations remain unverified, they have prompted renewed questions about whether the incident was a case of arson, homicide, or an attempted cover-up staged to resemble an accidental fire.
Many residents are now wondering how five individuals could die in a blaze without visible burn wounds. The rapid spread of the fire, combined with the unclear condition of the bodies, has raised questions about the true sequence of events on the night of November 14. Some community members believe the victims may have been incapacitated or killed before the fire, while others question whether faulty electrical wiring or a gas explosion could be responsible, despite no official confirmation from authorities.
Mrs. Garnette, known for her leadership and community advocacy, had been a respected figure within the Shara Community, and her sudden death has left residents grieving and demanding answers. Her role as chairlady and her contributions to local development have made the loss even more painful for a community that now feels both vulnerable and ignored. The deaths of her children and grandchildren have deepened the emotional toll, creating a collective plea for justice and transparency.
