Fire Destroys Several Houses in Freetown, Leaves Families Homeless
Sahid Bangura A midnight fire has on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, reportedly destroyed several houses at Kolleh Town, popularly known as Gaza, near Ascension Town in Freetown, leaving several families homeless.
The fire reportedly started at about 2:00 a.m., while residents were asleep. The blaze quickly spread through the affected homes, destroying household belongings and leaving families with little or nothing.
One of the victims, Khadijatu Mansaray, said she lost everything in the fire while she was sleeping with her child. She is among several residents now facing the immediate challenge of finding shelter and replacing essential belongings.
Residents praised the Sierra Leone Fire and Rescue Service for its rapid response, saying firefighters arrived in time to prevent the flames from spreading to more neighbouring houses.
Despite the emergency response, several families have been left without homes and are appealing for urgent assistance. Residents said those affected are currently struggling to cope and need support with shelter, food, clothing and other basic necessities.
The cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage have not been established. Authorities are expected to assess the situation and determine the total number of homes and families affected.