By : P. Uriah Suah
Ganta, Nimba County – On January 2, 2025, a fire outbreak in the Nyah Kormah Community of Ganta destroyed about four houses, leaving residents in complete distress.
Although the entire building was reduced to ashes , no lives were lost in the incident. However, several properties and personal belongings were entirely destroyed.
The incident triggered Community members and victims concerned, joining efforts to quench the fire .
While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, residents have attributed the outbreak to electrical faults from the Jungle Energy Power (JEP).
Meanwhile, the situation escalated when the county lone fire service truck arrived at the scene.
Angry residents, frustrated by what they perceived as a late response, chased the truck away, claiming it arrived after the fire had already destroyed the houses and other properties.
This marks the second time the Ganta fire service has faced such backlash from the community for delayed responses to emergencies.
It can be recalled, Chaos erupted in the John Wesley Pearson Community of Ganta after an angry crowd chased the county’s only fire service truck.
The incident occurred on November 6, 2024, following a fire incident that completely destroyed a house with four bedrooms around 5:00 PM.
Community members accused the fire service of responding too late, claiming the building was already reduced to ashes upon their arrival. Despite the heated confrontation, no fatalities were reported, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
Also, On December 23, 2024, a fire completely destroyed three woodshops, a mini motorcycle garage, and a welding workshop located near the Orange Tower. This incident adds to the series of numerous fires that have devastated properties and belongings in Ganta and Saniquellie cities.
When contacted, Mark James, the Nimba County focal person of the Liberia National Disaster Management Agency, disclosed that he is in active communication with his superiors to ensure that assistance is provided to the victims and those affected by these fire disasters.
Residents have called for better fire response systems to prevent future incidents and minimize losses.
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