By David Jabati
A mysterious fire broke out at the historic State House in central Freetown in the evening hours of last Saturday, 12th April, 2025, causing significant damage to parts of the iconic structure that has served as the seat of Sierra Leone’s presidency since the colonial era.
The incident occurred while President Julius Maada Bio was in Turkey.
From what The Exclusive gathered, thick spirals of smoke were seen billowing from the West wing with pockets of it seen curling from the East wing of the State House that evening. Firefighters materialized at the scene after the fire had engulfed a portion of the penultimate and top floor of the facility.
However, the firefighters battled the blaze for about an hour before the raging inferno was brought under control. No casualties were reported.
Up to press time that day, neither the firefighters nor state authorities could assess the extent of the damage. Also, the cause of it as at press time remained mystery.” However, preliminary investigations reportedly suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though authorities have not ruled out other possibilities. Meanwhile,a full inquiry has been reportedly launched.
Whether or not the President office was affected is yet to be confirmed but according to our source, he has been duly informed about the catastrophe and is expected to return home ahead of schedule.
Public reaction has been a mix of concern and frustration, with citizens calling for greater attention to the maintenance of historic public buildings. “This should be a wake-up call,” said Mariatu Sesay, a local historian. “The State House is more than a government building; it’s part of our national identity,” she added.
Journalists and bloggers who materialized at the scene were prevented to video or take photos of the burning State House. The phone of a young journalist from Sierraloaded, Sahid Bangura was seized from him by military personal at the security post at Sate Avenue. He was interrogated at the post for minutes and photos of the State House taken by him deleted. However, attempt to remove his press tag hung on his neck was met with stiff resistance. His phone was later returned to him and allowed to leave the scene.
Speaking to the Exclusive shortly after he was released, young Bangura said he was amazed when he was stopped by the security personnel even when he had identified himself. “They even wanted to seize my press card but I resisted,” he told The Exclusive.
Built in 1895, State House was initially referred to as Fort Thornton. In the colonial days it was the residence of the Governor of Sierra Leone, until it became the official residence of the Prime Minister of Sierra Leone from 1961-1971.
More details will follow as the investigation unfolds.
See official press release below:
