Yusuf Keketoma Sandi Reacts as Fire Destroys His Entire Office in State House

Sierra Leone’s Presidential Press Secretary, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi, has expressed resilience following a devastating fire that engulfed his office at the Presidential Villa within the State House in Freetown on Saturday.

Shortly after the incident, Mr. Sandi took to Facebook, stating, “God is in control and it is well. 🙏🏻,” indicating a sense of faith amidst the significant loss.

Reports indicate that the fire, which broke out at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 12th, on the 4th floor of the West Wing of the State House, completely destroyed the offices of both Press Secretary Yusuf Keketoma Sandi and another official, Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella. The inferno reportedly consumed both offices entirely, leaving no salvageable items.

Emergency services, including the National Fire Force and law enforcement agencies, were alerted around 4:15 p.m. Firefighters were rapidly deployed and worked to combat the blaze, which had spread to the 3rd floor.

Efforts to contain the fire continued into the late evening, with multiple government agencies, including the Office of National Security, the Sierra Leone Police, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, and the Guma Valley Water Company, actively supporting the response.

While the Office of the President, located on the 2nd floor of the State House, remained unaffected by the fire, the upper levels of the West Wing have sustained irreversible damage. The full extent of the loss is still being assessed, but sources on the ground confirm the complete destruction of Mr. Sandi’s and Mr. Yumkella’s offices.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and investigations are expected to commence once the area is deemed safe. In the interim, authorities are urging the public to remain calm and rely on official channels for accurate information.

The incident occurred while President Julius Maada Bio was on an official visit to Turkey, raising concerns about the security and safety of the State House. Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the building on Saturday afternoon, causing widespread concern in the capital.

Following an inspection of the fire-damaged site, the Honorable Vice President, Dr. Mohammed Juldeh Jalloh, has called for a thorough investigation and audit into the incident to determine its cause.