Post a comment 
A late-night fire has destroyed a residential compound containing eighteen apartments at Jalloh Tarise along Congress Road in Freetown, leaving several families without shelter and causing extensive property damage.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on 5th March 2026, at a location opposite the Sierra Construction Company. Residents reported that the blaze quickly spread through the compound, reducing the buildings to ashes before it could be brought under control.
According to residents, the inferno consumed homes and small businesses within the compound, destroying school materials, household items, and other personal belongings. Many occupants reportedly escaped with little or nothing, as the fire spread rapidly through the structures.
One of the affected residents, Fatmata Mansaray, alleged that firefighters from the Sierra Leone National Fire Force in Kissy eventually responded to the emergency but arrived with an empty water truck. She further claimed that although a nearby company offered to provide water from its reservoir to assist in controlling the fire, firefighters allegedly indicated they did not have a hose pipe to connect to the source.
Efforts are ongoing to contact the Kissy Fire Force to obtain their response to the allegations raised by residents.
Despite the devastating situation, community members commended local youths who reportedly mobilized quickly to help affected families and prevent the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings.
In the aftermath of the disaster, victims are appealing to the Government, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and humanitarian organizations to provide urgent support, as many families have been left without homes or basic necessities.
