Monrovia – The Liberian government has responded to victims of the fire disaster that took place Friday, April 5, 2019, affecting over 20 homes in the Popo Beach Community, which is within the Borough of New Kru Town.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
President George Weah during his visit to the community on Monday assures the victims that his government will construct new homes.
Over 359 persons were affected due to the fire incident that destroyed approximately 20 homes.
President Weah said not only will new homes be constructed for victims, but the government will also construct other houses within the Popo Beach Community that do not suit modern day infrastructure.
The construction, according to the Liberian leader, will begin on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, and is expected to end within the period of 60-day.
“We want you to give us time and in 60 days, your project will be completed. What will be constructed here are not zinc shacks but concrete structures,” President Weah said.
According to President Weah, the government will continue to give the victims other supports to carry out their livelihood.
President Weah donated to victims of the disaster, 100 bags of rice, 300 pieces of mattresses and 21 bundles of used clothes.
“I want to express my sympathy to you the affected families, we will do the best we can and it is our responsibility to come to the cry of our citizens when they need us. We want you [to] know that government is with you,” President Weah said, adding that the government will come in if other emergency needs arise.
He described the move to identify with the fire victims as a part of the government’s commitment to restoring the hopes of Liberians.
Several of the Popo Beach fire victims have reportedly been sleeping outdoor since the incident occurred.
No death was reported during the incident but two persons were severely injured during the incident while they were helping to rescue children and properties.
“The fire caught a house and a child was in it so, everyone was afraid to go in for the child and I have to go into the fire for the child. The child was not affected,” Antony Sarlue noted.
Prince Teah said he was lying on a mattress when the fire became ravaging his home leaving him severely injured.
Michael Tarlue, a 35-year-old victim, told reporters that he was in his house with his four children who were at sleep when the fire started but they were rescued by community members.
“I have to call out to people for help, fortunately for us, community members came to our aid,” he said.
“I did not take anything from my house, everything left in it and burnt, but I thank God that none of us died in the incident,” Mr. Tarlue lamented.
Meanwhile, Liberia National Fire Service Director Col. Alex K. Dickson said the need to create massive awareness on fire disaster prevention is important.
Col. Dickson said that inaccessibility of road to the Popo Beach area also caused his team’s failure to reach the area on time.
Col. Dickson is meanwhile calling on citizens to do away with negative perception about the Liberia Fire Service that the agency is not doing enough to curb fire incidents in the country.
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