A significant fire broke out at the State House in central Freetown this afternoon, prompting a swift response from the National Fire Force and other emergency services.

According to a public notice issued by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the alert was received at approximately 4:15 p.m. Initial reports indicate the fire originated on the 4th floor of the West Wing around 4:00 p.m. and has since spread to the 3rd floor of the building.

Firefighters were rapidly deployed to the scene and are currently engaged in efforts to contain and extinguish the blaze. As of 7:30 p.m. local time, the government reports that the fire’s spread has been limited to the affected floors and wings.

A coordinated multi-agency response is underway, with the Office of National Security, the Sierra Leone Police, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, and the Guma Valley Water Company all actively supporting the firefighting operations.

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The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time. The public notice emphasized that the Office of the President, located on the 2nd floor, has so far been unaffected, and emergency teams are working diligently to ensure its continued protection.

The Ministry of Information and Civic Education urged the public to remain calm and to rely on official channels for accurate and timely updates as the situation unfolds. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.