Sherbro Town-Gbolor, Waterloo, Western Rural District, June 14, 2022 — The National Disaster Management Agency NDMA has concluded its assessment of a reported fire incident that occurred at Gbolor, Sherbro Town, Waterloo, Western Rural District on Monday 13th June 2022.
Based on initial assessment so far, the fire incident was due to an unattended Smoke Oven (Banda) which abruptly set ablaze the entire Oven leaving a three-year-old child dead, five burn victims which include 4 severely burnt children who are currently hospitalized, a population of 55 homeless and Six (6) makeshift structures destroyed.
According to Zainab Conteh, a victim who lost her child in the inferno, the fire occurred during the fish drying process in one of the rented smoke ovens close to their makeshift house. “My son was fast asleep inside the house when the fire broke out at 1am. Before they could save him, wooden sticks from the roof had already fallen on him.” – Narrated Zainab Conteh.
NDMA’s Western Area Regional Coordinator, Mr Gerald King admonished and consoled the victims whilst assuring them of the Agency’s commitment to a prompt response. He also said NDMA has started engaging partners in a bid to solicit the provision of relief items and medical care for the victims.
“We have started engaging our partners, and I’m pleased to state that one of them, PARTNERS IN HEALTH, has taken the four severely burnt children to Connaught Hospital for treatment. Also, ALL FOR ONE, another partner, has agreed to provide some relief items for the victims. We shall continue to mobilize the needed resources and support to ameliorate your suffering. Mr King Concluded.
For More Enquiries:
Directorate of Communications
National Disaster Management Agency
Contact: +23278388946
Email: mohamedlbah@ndma.gov.sl
