A large fire has swept through Sierra Leone’s State House in Freetown, the official residence and office of the president, leading to a full-scale emergency operation as firefighters work tirelessly to contain the blaze. The fire, which broke out around 4:00 p.m. GMT on Saturday, April 12, ravaged the third and fourth floors of the historic building. However, authorities confirmed that the president’s office on the second floor remains unaffected.
At the time of the fire, President Julius Maada Bio was out of the country attending a conference in Turkey. The Ministry of Information stated, “Emergency teams are working around the clock to ensure the president’s office remains protected,” while adding that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Eyewitnesses and social media footage have shown dramatic scenes, with flames visible through the upper windows of the iconic white structure and thick black smoke billowing into the air over central Freetown. Local resident Mohamed Kamara shared with AFP, “We saw smoke and fire coming from the windows and the top floor of the building this evening.”
Authorities have cordoned off the area, with police, security personnel, and soldiers deployed to manage the crowds and maintain safety. Fire trucks were seen entering the State House courtyard as emergency responders struggled to contain the situation for several hours.
The fire has reignited concerns about the preservation of Sierra Leone’s historical landmarks, particularly in light of the 2021 destruction of the Freetown Cotton Tree, another national symbol. The State House, originally built as Fort Thornton in 1895, served as the colonial governor’s residence and later became the official home of Sierra Leone’s prime minister in 1961. Since 1971, it has been the official residence and workplace of the president.
