By Haruna Kuyateh
An 80-year-old woman has perished inside the inferno that ravaged the entire building of Baba Leigh Gassama and NyakasiGassama in Jokadou Dasilami, North Bank Region, on Friday, 24th November 2023 while other 18 people are presently displaced.
This very serious fire incident claimed the life of an old woman, Madam Bigay Faye, was noted started around 4:00 pm and according to Nyakasi Gassama 18 members of the family are currently displaced.
According to the narration, the old woman was trapped inside the building when the fire occurred the members of the community did their best to rescue her alive while part of her body was already burnt to the marrow, but she gave up the ghost before reaching the Essau District Hospital.
The family and the entire village are sad and mourning this unfortunate incident that befell the family and community
Omar Joof, the Commanding Officer at Barra Fire and Rescue Services said an investigation is already launched to establish the cause of the fire incident.
According to the Fire and Rescue Services Commanding Officer, it was evident that the windows were sealed and sympathisers from the community had to break in to allow them to rescue the late old woman.
He, therefore, used the moment to call on the residents to seek expert opinion during house construction, with the ultimate aim of saving lives and properties during emergency operations.
Lamin Saidy, Regional Disaster Management Coordinator noted with concern and appealed for quick support to the family, saying the fire had consumed the entire building with a loss of life.
He further appealed to the general public to be vigilant follow preventive measures and consult a qualified electrician when wiring the house
The affected families of Baba Leigh Gassama and NyakasiGassama have called for emergency support from humanitarian organizations, the National Disaster Management Agency, the Gambia Red Cross Society, and individuals as they already lost all valuable household items to the inferno.
