2 die in fire, properties destroyed

A fire outbreak in Benla Community, Kakata, Margibi County has left at least one person dead and scores of others homeless. Personal effects, including 100,000 Liberian dollars and US$620 were destroyed when fire gutted a four-bedroom home Sunday, 23 February in the provincial town.

The mud brick four-bedroom house, located along the Borlorla Road near a Sande bush and a cemetery, had total occupants of 26. The victim is a 5-year-old boy identified as Jojo Siryon, whose body was burnt beyond recognition.

Speaking to the NewDawn at the scene, one of the victims, who is also owner of the house and grandmother of the late Jojo Siryon, narrated that while in bed, they suddenly heard a strange sound from the next room in the house.

Ma Musu Dorley continued that just in a movement, she heard her sister, who lives across the road alarmed that fire had gutted the house. Ma Musu said her daughter, Hawa Flomo, who happens to be a Jojo’s mother, left the child alone in the room and had gone across the road to Borlorla Road, a nearby community.

She said the cause of the fire is yet to be established, noting that they had not used a candle or anything combustible in the house. According to Ma Musu, many of the occupants were strangers, who was spending time, but they are now homeless, including her entire family. She appealed to government, non-governmental organizations and philanthropists for assistance to enable them to rebuild their lives.

Meanwhile, some eyewitnesses, who said they did not see any fire service personnel at the scene from beginning to end, disclosed that only the police arrived later, but they did nothing as the house was already in flames.

Margibi County Police Superintendent Col. Frederick Darkpeh Nepay, said the police are probing the incident. At the same time an 11-year-old boy has become the latest fire victim in Kakata.

The report is reaching The New Dawn Tuesday, 25 February said the lad met his demise at about 8:00AM when fire gutted his guardian’s five-bedroom residence in Vai Town community, Kakata. Items destroyed in the fire include 1 motorbike and 2 generators, among others.

The victim, whose name was not disclosed, reportedly lived with a guardian identified as Morris Dablah. Mr. Dablah allegedly blamed the victim for the cause of the fire, claiming the child died as a result of fire pressure.

However, residents in the community said Morris Dablah beat the boy and locked him up in the house prior to the incident.

Dablah admitted to locking the boy up in the house because according to him, he was very stubborn, but denied beating him. Meanwhile, police in Kakata are currently probing the incident.