https://www.afrik.com/monrovia-renoue-avec-l-electricite-et-le-palais-presidentiel-bruleA large-scale fire ravaged part of the National Assembly of Liberia, in Monrovia, this Wednesday morning, causing significant damage. The incident, which occurred around 6 a.m., quickly mobilized several rescue teams. Although the flames have been brought under control, the causes of the fire remain unknown and are under investigation.
The fire was reported early in the morning, accompanied by clouds of black smoke visible for several kilometers around. Videos posted on social media show devastating flames engulfing the main building, including the hemicycle, and threatening to affect the adjacent wings. The scale of the disaster raised fears for the worst, but thanks to the rapid intervention of firefighters and emergency teams, the fire was contained before it spread further.
Already tense political context
On site, images show that the dome, previously golden, is now blackened and covered in soot. Inside, the tables, chairs and display cases are completely charred. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, this incident revealed flaws in the firefighters’ equipment, including low-pressure hoses, which slowed down the initial response. Criticism abounds regarding the insufficient preparation of rescue teams for such emergency situations.
This fire is not an isolated case. A few days before this incident, another, smaller fire had already broken out at the National Assembly, raising concerns about the security of this emblematic building of the country. Although the circumstances of this latest incident are still unclear, it occurs in an already tense political context, where rivalries exist within Parliament. In fact, two opposing blocs are vying for control of the presidency of the National Assembly; which fuels speculation about the potential reasons behind the fire.
Investigation into the exact causes of the fire
Faced with this situation, President Joseph Boakai called a meeting with security forces to investigate the exact causes of the fire and determine whether it was the result of an accident or an intentional act. The authorities promise to provide an official statement in the coming hours, after collecting all the necessary information. This investigation could also expand to check whether other similar incidents could be linked to malicious acts.
This event comes as the country is going through a period of political crisis. Liberia faces internal tensions, where the struggle for power within Parliament is exacerbating divisions and instabilities.
