A fire engulfed the upper floors of Sierra Leone’s presidential building in central Freetown on Saturday, causing damage but no casualties.
The blaze erupted around 4:00 p.m. local time, sending thick black smoke billowing from the third and fourth floors of the iconic white State House.
President Julius Maada Bio was not in the country at the time, as he is currently attending a conference in Turkey.
Firefighters battled the inferno for five hours before successfully bringing it under control, a senior fire service official confirmed.
Though no one was injured, important documents and furniture were lost to the flames, according to preliminary reports.
Authorities stated that the president’s office, located on the second floor, remained untouched by the fire.
The cause of the blaze remains unknown, and investigations are underway to determine its origin.
Residents nearby witnessed the fire spread quickly, with Mohamed Kamara telling AFP he saw smoke pouring from the upper windows.
Videos circulating on social media captured the dramatic scene, as flames lit up the top floors of the building.
Police sealed off surrounding streets while soldiers and security forces were deployed to secure the area.
The Ministry of Information issued an early statement confirming the extent of the damage and the safety of the president.
The incident has raised concerns over fire safety protocols in key government buildings across the capital.
Despite the destruction, officials expressed relief that the fire did not result in injury or reach more sensitive areas of the presidency.
Authorities have pledged a full investigation and reassured the public that government operations will continue undisrupted.
