Fire destroys 2 houses, printing press

Fire consumes two buildings and a printing press in Grass Field community, Gardnersville, Montserrado County electoral district#11, destroying properties worth US$66,000 and 300,000 Liberian Dollars, respectively.

The Chief Executive Officer for Impressive Image Creation, Marcus M. Mawolo, laments that the fire inflicts serious setback to residents of the community and schools whose properties were destroyed.

Speaking to this paper following the incident, he explains, “It is a great setback because the printing shop was a boost for this community and the country at large, and the loss of a media house that has over the years served the locals diligently is a clear indication that this entire community is affected.”

Trying to recount series of activities that were carried out at the press, CEO Mawolo says did printing contracts from a number of schools, printing diplomas, medals, stationery materials, among others but all were lost in the fire.

According to him, he was shock to hear that fire gutted his business at 3:00 pm. “When I came from town, I was discussing with some people when I saw a little child came to inform me that there were smokes coming from the house; when I ran, I saw the whole place dark; we attempted putting the fire off but no way; we could not handle that fire.”

He continues, the fire started from behind the house before spreading to other parts of the building.“We did our best to cut off the fire but no way, but I want to commend the Fire Service for their swiftness; they came in here after we called them in thirty minutes. Had it not been for the Fire Service, the loses would have been greater than what is on hand”, Mawolo further laments.

He says actual cause of the fire hasn’t been established, but two houses and his press, were destroyed.He narrates that his wife started the business as a shop and he subsequently transformed it to a printing press branded as Impressive Image Creation.

CEO Mawolo laments that what is more worrisome is school materials destroyed in the fire, disclosing schools were calling him for their graduation souvenirs. “I really don’t know what to tell these people.”

He appeals to government through the National Disaster Management Agency, philanthropic organizations such as Red Cross, international NGOs and well-meaning individuals for help to enable him get back on his feet.

“I also want to used this time to call on the Lawmaker of this district, Rep. Richard Koon, to see reason in this situation, my family is in disarray. We have nowhere to stay for now; this fire disaster has made us displaced”, he pleads.

By Lewis S. Teh-Editing by Jonathan Browne