Monrovia – In an attempt to paint a clearer picture of a fire which gutted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Presidential Press Secretary, Jerolinmek Piah, leading journalists on a tour, repudiated reports that fire gutted the fifth and sixth floors of the building, which play host to the office of the President.
“We can just move around the 5th floor, there was a smoke situation which we are going to. Yes smoke was coming from somewhere and you will not wait until the building bursts into flame before you call a fire truck.”
“We call fire truck to make sure wherever the smoke was coming from before it go into full blown fire”- Presidential Press Secretary, Jerolinmek Piah
“I’m carrying you on fifth floor because many of the media institutions have reported that fire gutted the Foreign Affairs building on the fourth and fifth floors so I want you to see for yourself whether any fire was here,” Piah told FrontPageAfrica.
It was observed during the tour that the electrical shock took place on the fourth floor.
The office adjacent the fire scene in tumble and hole were in the ceiling. In a compartment where the fire started, wires in an electric box were burnt.
Normal working activities were taking place while the elevator seems to be in a good shape.
Journalists did not have the opportunity to tour the sixth floor but with the happenings in the building.
In a strong tone, Piah refuted media reports that fire gutted fifth and sixth floor, saying it was an electrical shock.
“You don’t have to rely on what we tell you, you can see for yourself and report base on the facts, Piah said.
“We can just move around the fifth floor, there was a smoke situation which we are going to. Yes smoke was coming from somewhere and you will not wait until the building bursts into flame before you call a fire truck.”
“We call fire truck to make sure wherever the smoke was coming from before it go into full blown fire”, he added.
The Presidential Press Secretary said that government is not denying or hiding that fire incident did not take place at the foreign Ministry.
“No one is denying that there was a situation that has the implication of fire. I’m trying to report the fact from what is being reported in the media, when you go to the fourth floor where there was a situation of fire, we are not hiding anything but reporting the fact,” Piah added.
Piah continued: “take for example one of the papers, women voices, said that fire attacked foreign Ministry several documents destroyed. “
“So, if we get to the scene you will be able to determine whether documents were destroyed. We are not trying to convince whether there was fire or no fire. The President used the elevator this morning, myself used the elevator too.”
He said the incident did not stop the President from making her way to work, adding that where the shock took place was built by Lonestar Cell for the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“If you think there is danger, the President will be here at work?
Nothing is troubling, this place belongs to Lonestar cell. It is built purposely for electronic communication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Piah added.
“Lonestar cell and LEC were here this morning electrical shock can occur anywhere”, the Press Secretary noted.
Tuesday’s incident is the second fire attack since the Liberian leader took office in 2006. Two is a warning, three is a trend.