Freetown, Sierra Leone – April 12, 2025 Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the State House in central Freetown this afternoon, sparking widespread concern and drawing attention to yet another fire emergency in the capital.
The cause of the blaze remains unknown at this time.
President Julius Maada Bio is currently out of the country on an official visit to Turkey, leaving Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and other senior officials to respond to the unfolding situation.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after the fire was reported, but it is still unclear how much damage has been done to the historic government building, which serves as the official workplace of the President of Sierra Leone.
This incident comes amid growing concerns over fire safety in the capital. Freetown has experienced a string of devastating fires in recent years, many linked to faulty electrical wiring, poor urban planning, and inadequate fire response infrastructure.
Authorities are urging the public to remain calm as investigations continue and more details are expected to emerge in the coming hours.
