By kleverson.kawa@awokonewspapersl.com
Kenema, SIERRA LEONE — In the early hours of Friday morning, tragedy struck the Simbeck Section of Kenema as a devastating fire ripped through a shared apartment, claiming the lives of a grandmother and her young granddaughter.
The fire broke out around 4:55 AM at 19 Gbonie Street, catching residents off guard as flames rapidly consumed the building. Eyewitnesses described the harrowing moments as chaos unfolded.
“I was jolted awake by a loud, thunderous sound,” said John Sesay, a neighbour living in the same compound. “Before we knew it, the flames were everywhere. We tried to help, but it was too late.”
The victims, identified as Salamatu Kargbo, 50, and her 11-year-old granddaughter, Adama Kamara, were trapped inside their apartment and unable to escape the inferno. Despite a swift response by the National Fire Force branch in Kenema, the fire had already claimed their lives by the time firefighters reached the scene.
The charred remains of Salamatu and Adama were discovered in the smouldering debris hours later, prompting an outpouring of grief from family, neighbours, and community members.
The cause of the fire remains unclear. However, the Sierra Leone Police in Kenema have launched a full-scale investigation to determine the origin and contributing factors behind the deadly blaze.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another major fire that engulfed two floors of the State House in Freetown, raising fresh concerns about fire safety and emergency preparedness across the country.
Local authorities, safety experts, and advocacy groups are once again sounding the alarm, calling for stricter building codes, more regular inspections, and urgent public education on fire prevention.
As Kenema mourns the untimely deaths of Salamatu and Adama, residents are being urged to remain alert, report fire hazards promptly, and support efforts to strengthen disaster readiness in their communities. KK/11/5/2025
