By: Malanding Darboe
The State disaster management agency has expressed concern over recent fire outbreaks in the country.
The fire incidences in parts of the country of late have led to loss of lives and huge destruction to livelihoods.
“Domestic fire continues to be a challenge, putting a lot of individuals, households and communities at risk of vulnerability. In the country, small and medium businesses are impacted by the domestic fire, resulting in loss of lives, damage to critical infrastructure as well as economic losses,” the NDMA said in a statement.
“On Friday, a fire incident took place at the Navy HQ which resulted to the death of two individuals and some currently receiving medical treatment,” the agency said on Monday.
“This morning at about 03:00am, a shop belonging to one Sheikh Issawo, a Mauritanian businessman in Basse, caught fire believed to have been caused by an electric spark. The owner/manager lost everything and the economic loss is estimated to be more than D50 millions, according to the business owner,” the national disaster management agency reported on Monday.
“In a similar incident, a fire outbreak occurred at 3 am at the Serekunda Sandika and food items under the shed were destroyed with some cash. It came to our knowledge that some of the vendors used to bury cash under the shed and the total sum is unknown at the moment. The cause of the fire at the Sandika is yet to be established but it’s claimed that there is no electricity at that side of the Sandika. The rapid assessment shows that
45 individuals are affected,” NDMA further reported.
The NDMA municipal coordinator, Mr. Ngaign Jeng, has started work with his team to assess the full impact and establish the cause of the fire.
“Similarly, the regional disaster coordinator for URR is also working with volunteers to collect data for informed decision-making.
“As a concern, NDMA challenges every individual to be vigilant, especially during the Eid period while praying for the departed souls to rest in Jannah,” stated the NDMA statement.
