Fire Erupts at Sierra Leone’s Presidential State House in Freetown

A fire broke out at Sierra Leone’s State House in central Freetown on Saturday, with thick smoke and flames engulfing the upper floors of the iconic presidential building.

According to government sources, the third and fourth floors were affected, while President Julius Maada Bio’s office on the second floor remained untouched. The president was not in the country at the time—he is currently in Turkey, attending an international conference.

The blaze started around 4 p.m., and though the exact cause remains unknown, emergency response teams swiftly moved in to contain the fire and minimize damage.

“Emergency teams are working diligently to ensure [the building] remains protected,” the Ministry of Information confirmed in an official statement.

Videos circulating on social media captured dramatic scenes of flames and thick black smoke pouring from the windows. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as fire spread through the upper levels of the white government structure.

“We saw smoke and fire billowing from the windows and the top floor of the building this evening,” said Mohamed Kamara, a local resident who spoke with AFP.

In the aftermath, police cordoned off surrounding streets while soldiers were deployed to maintain order and protect the premises from any potential security threats.

As of now, the situation is under control, and no casualties have been reported.