The government of Sierra Leone has established a high-level interagency task force to investigate the cause and impact of a fire that broke out at State House in Freetown on Saturday, damaging the upper floors of the presidential complex. According to officials, the fire started on the fourth floor of the west wing and spread to the third floor before it was successfully contained by emergency services. The second floor, which houses the presidential office, was not affected. No injuries were reported.
Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who inspected the site, announced that an initial report will be released within seven days. He also confirmed that he will personally chair daily crisis meetings to oversee the situation. The interagency team includes members from law enforcement, fire services, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), structural engineers, and technical experts. The Ministry of Information and Civic Education confirmed that the blaze did not disrupt essential state functions, and emergency responders acted swiftly to prevent further damage. At the time of the incident, President Julius Maada Bio was on an official visit to Türkiye, where he held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan aimed at boosting economic and diplomatic cooperation. It is unclear whether President Bio will return early in response to the fire.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but authorities have not ruled out the possibility of electrical faults, which are a common hazard in older government buildings. The State House, a colonial-era structure, is one of the most significant administrative buildings in Sierra Leone. The government has promised full transparency in the investigation and pledged to restore the damaged sections promptly while reinforcing safety measures in public buildings nationwide.
