A devastating fire incident on Brook Street in Freetown late sunday 1st December claimed four lives, including an 18-year-old student from the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) and an 8-year-old boy.

The tragedy unfolded between 10 and 11 PM when residents were asleep, leaving little time for intervention.

The fire reportedly began after a transformer malfunction caused electrical issues in the area. A cable in front of the house ignited, and despite neighbors’ swift attempts to extinguish the flames, the fire quickly spread to the roof and consumed the house.

Efforts to contain the blaze before the Fire Force arrived were unsuccessful. Neighbors later discovered that several people were trapped inside the burning building, but all attempts to contact or rescue them proved futile.

The fire’s destruction extended beyond the residential building, affecting nearby establishments, including an EcoBank branch and a law firm. Both institutions suffered significant losses, with the law firm losing all its properties.

By the time the fire was brought under control, four bodies were recovered from the rubble. The deceased included an 18-year-old COMAHS student and an 8-year-old boy. The entire household’s possessions were reduced to ashes.

The Brook Street fire has left the community in shock and mourning, highlighting the need for improved electrical infrastructure and fire response systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.