Freetown, Sierra Leone, 13 April 2025– Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has conducted an on-site inspection of the fire-damaged areas at the State House in Central Freetown, as part of the government’s coordinated response to the incident. He was accompanied by the Secretary to the President, the State House Chief of Staff, and other senior officials.
This latest visit follows the Vice President’s immediate response to the incident a day earlier, during which he visited the scene shortly after the fire broke out. He later convened an overnight emergency meeting at his office, bringing together key officials to chart a prompt course of action.
During the inspection, the Vice President was briefed by the Chief Fire Officer and other emergency personnel on response efforts and initial findings. He examined the third and fourth floors, where the damage is most extensive, and also visited the second floor, which houses the Office of the President.
Following the site visit, Dr. Jalloh established a high-level Interagency Response Team, comprising representatives from law enforcement agencies, engineering experts, the Ministry of Works and Public Assets, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), and other relevant bodies. The team has been mandated to investigate the cause of the fire, assess the full extent of infrastructural and operational damage, and develop actionable recommendations for recovery and restoration.
The Vice President will lead daily briefings with the Response Team, and an initial report is expected within one week. The government has committed to keeping the public informed with timely updates as the situation progresses.
