Fire Service Concludes Investigation of 27 Students Death

By: Rancy S. Teewia

The Liberia National Fire Service (NFS) says it has concluded probe into the recent fire disaster at the United Dawah Mission, Bob Taylor Community Bassa Town in Paynesville Montserrado County which led to the death of least 27 Students on the 18th of September 2019.

    Speaking last Thursday at the regular Press briefing of the Ministry Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), the Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Eugene L. Fahngon, said the result of the investigation will be published today Monday, 30, 2019 on the occasion of the arrival of President George M. Weah, from the United Nations 74th General Assembly in New York, the United States of America.

    The fire incident occurred at the United Dawah Mission’s Paynesville Branch, without an identified source of the fire which left the entire country, most especially the Muslim Community, mourning.

   It can be noted that during the signing of the book of condolence at the United Dawah Mission Headquarter on 17th street Sinkor in Monrovia, the Fula Youth of Liberia pointed out that the death of the 27 students was a terroristic attack on them, giving the Government of Liberia two weeks to come up with an investigative report.

   The youth acknowledged that this was the third time the students were attacked at the mission.

Reading the press statement, Youth Leader Mohammed Alie Bah said they recalled that the first time it happened was in 2018 at 7:00 PM at which time they discovered a bunch of cloth.

   It can be recalled, the nation was awakened on September 18 in shock and awe when 27 students and their teachers were gutted by fire at the Malaka Mission School, a Quranic Memorizations Center in Bassa Town, Bob Taylor Road within the suburb of Paynesville City.

   President Weah, who visited the scene, expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and the Islamic community of Liberia.   

   Police spokesman Moses Carter at the time said the fire was caused by an “electrical problem” in the absence of a thorough investigation conducted by the Liberian National Fire Service.