MONROVIA – Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence’s father’s compound in the county was gutted by fire on Sunday night ravaging her brother’s house and leaving several other properties damaged.
But her brother, despite not providing any concrete evidence, strongly believes the fire was orchestrated by some individuals who are supporters of Sen. Karnga’s political contender Mr. Gbehzohngar Findley whom she defeated in the December 8 Special Senatorial Election.
Speaking to FrontPageAfrica about the incident, Mr. Garmondeh Karnga said he and his sister had received several threats from individuals loyal to Findley due to their political differences.
FrontPageAfrica, however, could not get comments from Mr. Findley up to press time on Monday.
According to Mr. Karnga, he had left his house to find two persons to sleep in their father’s house since the boys who live in it had all travelled to Monrovia. He said there was no electricity at the time. He said he left the compound, after some time, he heard a heavy blast – like a bomb. When he looked back, he saw flames of fire on the roof of his house.
“My son was in the house, he managed to burst the front door but there is also a screen door, but he noticed that somebody tied the screen door so he fought and burst the screen door through the fire – that’s how he escaped.”
– Garmondeh Karnga to Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence
“My son [not biological] was in the house, he managed to burst the front door but there is also a screen door, but he noticed that somebody tied the screen door so he fought and burst the screen door through the fire – that’s how he escaped.”
He added, “They taught that I was inside. I just reported the incident to the police. I complained on three guys that had been threatening me and Nyonblee during the election time and still insulting her after she had won. They are Adonis Greaves, James Smith and Peter Logan.”
Mr. Karnga lamented that though the fire service truck rushed to rescue the building, it was unsuccessful as firemen on duty could not operate the truck. According to him, the firemen reportedly pressed the wrong button the truck and the water hose got disconnected and all the water wasted on the ground.
He said neighbors from the community helped to tame the fire, thereby, saving the church and the school.
While Logan and Smith could also not be reached, Mr. Greaves described the fire incident as unfortunate and said he is in sympathy with Mr. Karnga.
However, Mr. Greaves said it is surprising that Mr. Karnga would accuse him of masterminding the fire incident as he (Greaves) has been in Monrovia working.
“He should not just make allegations. He needs to show some evidence. I’m one of the young persons who called Senator Lawrence and congratulated her upon her victory and even expressed my willingness to work with her and she responded favorably. So, why would I want to set their property on fire? It is a sad situation but he shouldn’t make such an allegation against me without any evidence,” said Greaves.