By:Mark Neywon Mengonfia
An apartment attached to District Four lawmaker Michael Thomas’ fence in Paynesville caught fire, killing five people in Monrovia. The incident happened Wednesday, afternoon. While the cause of the fire remains unknown, it was speculated by the lawmaker that it could have been triggered by a candle or a mosquito coil due to reports of a power outage from the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) at the time.
The lawmaker lamented the loss, stating that it was a sombre day for District Four as the Liberia National Red Cross Society attended to the victims. The bodies of the deceased were later transported 59 kilometres away to Margibi County for burial, with the lawmaker covering the expenses.
Residents had alerted Rep. Thomas, whose home overlooked the burned apartment, about the fire. He joined efforts to quell the flames, criticizing the Liberia Fire Service for their delayed response due to unavailable fire trucks in the area. This unfortunate incident highlighted the urgent need for improved fire services in the region.
The community was deeply affected by the tragedy, with bystanders expressing shock and sorrow over the loss of lives. The district has experienced previous fire incidents, prompting Rep. Thomas to advocate for the acquisition of fire trucks for all 17 districts of Montserrado County.
Despite his efforts to secure funding for fire trucks, the necessary measures were not taken before this devastating event. This underscores the critical importance of adequate fire services in the region to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
