A vicious fire accident has consumed three houses at Nos.11, 12, and 13 Magazine Cut, in the Fourah Bay community in Freetown. The houses were completely destroyed by fire on Saturday 21st March. An eye witness and victim of the fatal fire accident Kadiatu Sesay explained in tears to Awoko newspaper that she was busy laundering in front of the house at No 11 Magazine Cut when she saw a huge smoke coming out of one of the rooms in the house.
The room was closed and the occupant was not around to open the door. She shouted and the attention of neighbors was drawn to the incidence and they responded immediately.
People tried to forcefully open the door to the room where the fire started but by then the fire had extended to other rooms.
The fire escalated and was completely out of control as it extended to other houses that were very close to No.11.
Kadiatu denied having any knowledge about the cause of the fire but stated that the house was being used as both a store and dwelling place.
Speaking to the Fire Operation Officer of the National Fire Force, Ibrahim Sorie explained that upon their arrival at the scene they were stoned by on lookers who accused them of not responding as expected.
He told this press that they had to call the Local Unit Commander Superintendent Nepor Senesie of Eastern Police Station to reinforce them.
The police was able to disperse some of the population to allow the fire fighters access to the scene. When they finally arrived at the scene they encountered difficulties in extinguishing the fire due to some flammable items like palm oil that was stored in the house.
The fire was so heavy that water alone was unable to put it out. They were forced to add another chemical to the water before they were able to put the fire under control.
Serious injuries were sustained by some young men who were helping the fire fighters to put out the fire.