Lumley, Freetown – A devastating fire swept through Lumley Market this afternoon, leaving shop owners and traders grappling with significant losses.
Witnesses reported that the fire broke out following a high-voltage electrical surge, though the Sierra Leone Fire Force has yet to confirm the official cause.
Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, accompanied by Cllr Unisa Kamara, members of the FCC Metropolitan Police, and Lumley Traders Chairlady Mammy Morlai Kamara, visited the disaster site to assess the damage and console victims.
“It’s heartbreaking to see the devastation caused by yet another fire in our city,” Mayor Aki-Sawyerr remarked. “For many traders, their goods represent their entire livelihood, and this fire has left them with nothing.”
The Mayor emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation by the Fire Force to uncover the root causes of the recurring fires in Freetown markets and to develop preventive measures.
As an immediate response, the Freetown City Council provided food and water to the affected traders, many of whom spent hours assisting Fire Force personnel in extinguishing the flames.
The incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced fire safety measures to protect vulnerable communities and prevent such tragedies in the future.
