By Saio Marah
The congested slum settlement of Susan’s Bay and parts of Marbella another slum in Freetown were on the night of Wednesday 24 March 2021 engulfed by fire that has left hundreds of residents homeless. What caused the fire is yet to be determined as well as the extent of the damage. Fire fighters battled late into the night to put out the raging inferno.
An affected resident, Ramatu Kamara explained to Politico how she was around the Clock Tower, a few miles away buying goods for her petty trading business when she heard news of the fire outbreak. She said her neighbours had to force open her door to take out few of her belongings, losing the rest including a bag containing some money. Looking visibly distressed she said she could not figure out where she and her child could pass the night.
Hundreds of people were in a similar situation as well and could be seen running around, some wailing and trying to find missing children and relations.
Lamin Sesay, a father of three at Susan’s Bay helplessly watched as his house furniture and other belongings were destroyed. “I could not take out any of my property because I am just being discharged from hospital after undergoing surgery,” he said.
He said even though he managed to escape with his wife and children, many parents could not see their children. But he said the Police were going around announcing that parents who could not see their children should check at the Eastern Police Station. He called on the government for help and admitted his willingness to be relocated to anywhere even beyond Waterloo in the eastern suburbs of Freetown.
Mohamed Mansaray, for his part accused the Fire Force of not responding on time and for showing up with insufficient water to put out the fire. A Police Officer declined to talk to Politico, saying they were there to ensure the safety of the people and their personal effects.
Some of the affected persons gathered at Sani Abacha Street and were seen pleading to people for tarpaulin so they could pass the night by the roadside or at unfinished buildings. Fire outbreaks have happened in those areas over the years. The teeming population there eke a livelihood through fishing or petty trading.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (26/03/21)
