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Following the fire that engulfed sections of State House on Saturday, April 12, 2025, the government has provided an update on the situation, outlining the progress made in assessing the damage and ensuring the building’s safety.
Myk Berewa, the Director of Communications in the Office of the President, announced via his Facebook page that a structural integrity review of the iconic building has been completed.
This crucial step aims to determine the extent to which the fire has compromised the structural soundness of the 122-year-old edifice, the nation’s seat of leadership.
Berewa further stated that forensic evaluations are currently underway, suggesting a thorough investigation into the specifics of the fire incident is being conducted. He also assured the public that debris clearing operations are in progress at the site.
In a reassuring note, Berewa confirmed that “all vital documents and records remain intact,” addressing potential concerns about the loss of important government materials. “The heart of State House beats on,” he affirmed in his post.
Preliminary investigations have pointed to an electrical malfunction as the cause of the fire, which broke out at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. This finding was confirmed by Sierra Leone’s Chief Fire Officer, Nazir Ahmad Alie Kamanda Bongay, following initial assessments.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, corroborated this information, stating that the fire originated on the 3rd floor of the building and subsequently spread to the 4th floor, causing significant damage to those levels.
The day after the incident, on April 13, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh conducted an on-site inspection of State House. During his visit, he received a comprehensive briefing on the emergency response measures that were implemented and was presented with a preliminary assessment of the damage incurred.
