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The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has launched steps to investigate the recurring fire outbreaks at Nyapui School for Girls in Kenema following the latest incident that destroyed key administrative and learning facilities at the institution.
Director General of the NDMA, John Vandy Rogers, on Saturday, 13 June 2026, visited the school alongside senior officials to assess the extent of the damage and engage stakeholders after the latest fire incident, which occurred on Thursday, 11 June.
The recent blaze destroyed a major administrative block housing the Principal’s Office, Computer Laboratory, administrative offices, and temporary classrooms that were already accommodating students displaced by an earlier fire.
The incident marks the fourth fire outbreak at the school within five months, raising serious concerns over the cause of the repeated disasters.
Speaking during the assessment, Rogers disclosed plans to establish an inter-agency investigative committee to determine the cause of the persistent fires, amid growing suspicion that the incidents may not be accidental.
“We cannot continue to witness repeated fire outbreaks of this magnitude at a single educational institution without a thorough investigation,” he said.
According to the NDMA, the proposed committee will comprise representatives from environmental agencies, security institutions, and local authorities tasked with conducting a detailed inquiry and recommending preventive measures.
The Agency also commended its Eastern Region Team for their swift response in helping to contain the latest fire, working in collaboration with other emergency responders. Authorities confirmed that the affected building has since been secured to preserve evidence for investigation.
Rogers assured the school community of the Government’s commitment to supporting recovery efforts, stressing that education remains a national priority.
He described Nyapui School for Girls as an important institution that continues to attract students from across Sierra Leone and beyond, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention to restore normal learning conditions.
The NDMA Director General further pledged to engage development partners to mobilize relief support and reconstruction materials to help the school recover from the repeated setbacks.
Deputy Director General Sulaiman B. Sowa underscored the importance of protecting educational institutions, noting that their safety remains critical to the country’s future development.
Chief of Operations Kai Banya also assured continued coordination with stakeholders to support recovery and ensure preventive mechanisms are strengthened.
The repeated fire incidents have left students and staff traumatized, with the school now facing severe shortages in classrooms and accommodation, affecting the smooth delivery of teaching and learning.
As investigations commence, the NDMA says its focus remains on uncovering the root cause of the incidents while supporting efforts to rebuild and safeguard the institution against future disasters.
