Waterloo, Sierra Leone – April 13, 2025 — Tragedy struck in the early hours of Sunday morning when a massive fire erupted behind the Shalimar building in Waterloo, claiming the life of an Indian national.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire began around 1:57 AM, reportedly starting at a timber shop before rapidly spreading to the nearby White House building. The scene quickly turned chaotic as an explosion was heard moments before the flames engulfed the area.
“We heard a loud explosion, and within minutes, fire erupted at the Shalimar building,” said a local resident. “People are panicking because the fire seems uncontrollable.”
Amid the chaos, one of the most harrowing moments witnessed was a man trapped inside the inferno, crying desperately for help. He was later identified as an Indian national, who, according to confirmed reports, lost his life in the blaze.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene and are working to contain the fire. As of now, the full extent of the damage and potential casualties remains unconfirmed.
This tragic incident has left the Waterloo community in shock as investigations continue into the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire.
This devastating incident at Shalimar building in Waterloo comes just a day after another fire disaster at State House in Freetown, destroying some offices and workplaces.
