MONROVIA – The Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) has reported that a predawn fire outbreak in the Don Bosco Community of New Matadi claimed the lives of four kids.
According to the LNFS, the devastating fire broke out in the early hours of this morning at 1:21 AM in the Don Bosco Community, while residents were asleep. “The Liberia National Fire Service responded swiftly, arriving at the scene by 1:32 AM, and fought the fire using buckets and jointed hoses from the fire trucks because there was no alley leading to the fire scene. By 2:42 AM, the fire was fully extinguished,” the LNFS said in a statement it released following the incident.
Sadly, an entire zinc shack residential building, which was owned by Cecelia Momolu, was destroyed by flames. Fortunately, three persons survived as four children were lost in the inferno before rescue teams could reach them. The LNFS said the four kids had died due to smoke inhalation and severe burns. The victims have been identified as:
- Marcus Momolu (12 years)
- Emmanuel Flomo (8 years)
- Elizabeth Momolu (6 years)
- Lusu Kamara (2 years)
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn this unimaginable loss. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and the entire community during this painful time,” the Firefighters consoled.
They called on everyone to come together to support the affected families in any way better.
Lack of Road Access Blamed for Death of Four kids in Matadi Fire Incident, Says Liberia Fire Chief
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) has attributed the tragic deaths of four children in a recent fire outbreak in New Matadi to limited road access that prevented firefighters from reaching the scene in time.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing Thursday, May 8, LNFS Director Col. G. Warsuwah Barvoul disclosed that although fire crews responded within eleven minutes of receiving the emergency call, their efforts were severely hampered by blocked alleyways, which restricted access to the main point of the blaze.
He urged the public to refrain from constructing buildings in alleyways, stressing that such actions hinder emergency responses and can lead to preventable tragedies.
In a preliminary report, Col. Barvoul also revealed that the fire is believed to have been sparked by a mosquito coil left unattended.
The incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of urban planning regulations and increased public awareness about fire safety and emergency access routes.
