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The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, on Monday, 9 February, visited ECOWAS Street to assess the damage caused by a devastating fire that swept through the area the previous day, destroying several shops and business centers along one of the city’s busiest commercial corridors.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr was accompanied by Deputy Mayor Kweku Lisk during the visit. Officials from the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) were also present, preparing to conduct assessments of affected traders and business owners.
The fire broke out on Sunday, 8 February, and quickly spread through closely packed structures, leaving extensive damage in its wake. Eyewitnesses told reporters that thick smoke filled the area as traders rushed to save what they could from their shops. The dense layout of the buildings allowed the flames to spread rapidly, worsening the destruction.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and security personnel, were deployed to contain the blaze and stop it from spreading to nearby buildings. Authorities confirmed that no fatalities were recorded, but the loss of property was described as significant, with many traders now facing uncertainty about how to rebuild their livelihoods.
Speaking during the visit, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr expressed sympathy for those affected by the fire and assured them of the city council’s concern. She emphasized the need to determine the cause of the fire in order to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
NDMA representatives on site said preliminary assessments of the damage have begun, while investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause of the fire.
The ECOWAS Street incident comes months after another major fire on Race Course Road, Up Gun, which destroyed dozens of spare parts shops and resulted in heavy losses for business owners in that area.
Authorities have urged members of the public to remain calm and to cooperate fully with emergency services as assessments and investigations continue and more information becomes available.
