Displaced Families Seek Relief After Devastating Freetown Fire
Mariam Kamara, a young nursing mother, was unable to salvage her possessions when a fierce fire swept through Kolleh Town—a community in western Freetown locally known as Gaza—leaving her and more than 30 other families homeless.
Speaking to Ecko Media, Kamara expressed profound distress and ill health following the loss of her home, appealing to the public and authorities for immediate assistance.
The blaze, which broke out near the Ascension Town dumpster, decimated several structures and personal belongings estimated at millions of leones. Witnesses reported that local youth worked frantically to contain the inferno as it spread rapidly from room to room.
While no fatalities were reported, several young volunteers sustained injuries while fighting the flames.
For the affected households, securing shelter and emergency support remains the primary concern. However, the comprehensive scope of the destruction has yet to be officially determined.
Varying accounts from community members underscore the magnitude of the disaster. Sylvester, an EBSA employee residing in the neighborhood, estimated that over 50 homes and more than 100 rooms were impacted. Conversely, resident Kadiatu Bangura placed the loss at upwards of 20 houses. An official government assessment to reconcile these figures is still pending.
Opinions on the cause of the disaster point toward electrical issues. Sylvester suspected poor wiring and cautioned against the reliance on unqualified electricians, a concern echoed by Bangura. Nevertheless, the precise trigger of the fire remains unconfirmed.
The disaster response has also drawn criticism from local residents. Sylvester noted that firefighters arrived late, leaving neighborhood youths to take the lead in extinguishing the blaze.
Another witness, Alieu, mentioned that he initially misjudged the severity of the fire due to the community’s proximity to the dumpster. Upon realizing the danger, he joined fellow residents in combating the flames.
Alieu further alleged that the responding fire engine ran out of water shortly after arriving at the scene. The National Fire Force has not yet issued an official statement regarding these claims.
Amid the panic, fears briefly arose over a missing child.
Bangura initially reported that a mother was unable to locate her child. However, Isatu Kamara, a local cold-water trader, clarified that another trader had handed the child to a bystander during the chaos. Isatu later confirmed that the child was safely reunited with the mother.
Praising the brave efforts of local youth, Bangura called for urgent government aid and highlighted how high rent costs contribute to severe overcrowding in the area—a factor worsening structural fire risks in Freetown.
For Kamara and dozens of displaced families, the priority remains securing immediate shelter and assistance to rebuild their lives following this tragic event.
Story and visual origin: Ecko Media
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