Fire destroys Sierra Leone state house

A large fire has erupted at the State House in Freetown, Sierra Leone, which serves as the official residence and office for the president, triggering a comprehensive emergency response as crews strive to control the inferno.

The fire, which ignited around 4:00 p.m. GMT on Saturday, April 12, ravaged the third and fourth floors of the historic building, although officials have confirmed that the president’s office on the second floor has not been affected.

At the time of the fire, President Julius Maada Bio was abroad, participating in a conference in Turkey. The Ministry of Information reported that “Emergency teams are tirelessly working to ensure the president’s office is safeguarded.” The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media show flames shooting from upper windows of the iconic white building, accompanied by thick plumes of black smoke visible across central Freetown. Local resident Mohamed Kamara told AFP: “We saw smoke and fire billowing from the windows and the top floor of the building this evening.”

The area surrounding the building was sealed off by police, with security personnel and military forces dispatched to manage the crowds and maintain order. Firefighters were observed entering the courtyard as emergency teams labored for hours to control the situation.

This blaze has reignited public anxiety regarding the preservation of Sierra Leone’s heritage, particularly in light of the earlier destruction of another national emblem, the historic Freetown Cotton Tree, by fire two years prior. Originally constructed in 1895 as Fort Thornton, the State House first served as the residence of the colonial governor before becoming the official home of the prime minister in 1961. Since 1971, it has been the residence and main workplace for Sierra Leone’s head of state.