Bong County’s Broad Street Blaze Exposes Lack of Emergency Response from Liberia’s National Fire Service; Critics Blast Government Over Fire Response Failings in Bong County
BY: Joseph Tatus Yekeryan
Gbarnga, Bong County, Liberia- A devastating blaze swept through Broad Street in Gbarnga’s bustling commercial hub, engulfing three of small‑business shops and destroying goods that families rely on for daily survival.
The fire, which raged for several hours, left the district’s traders without livelihoods and prompted an urgent investigation by the Bong County detachment of the Liberia National Police (LNP).
According to KMTV Bong county Correspondent, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as residents and shop owners scrambled to contain the flames with sand, rocks, and other improvised means.
With no fire truck in the county, community members were left largely on their own as the fire spread through the commercial area.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the Movement for Democratic Alliance (MODA), which accused the national government of neglecting Bong County’s emergency response needs.
The group urged the government to provide at least one fully equipped fire truck to the county, saying “protecting lives and property is a fundamental responsibility of government.”
Meanwhile, Residents and affected traders are appealing for assistance from government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and members of the public to help rebuild their businesses.
The fire has also highlighted the disparity between Bong County and neighboring Nimba County, where residents say emergency response equipment is more readily available.
As investigators work to determine the cause of the blaze, many victims are left wondering if the tragedy will once again fade without lasting action.