Fire at State House Destroys Offices Linked to Yumkella

April 13, 2025

A fire broke out on Saturday at the State House in Freetown, damaging several offices associated with Hon. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella.

Although Dr. Yumkella’s main office was spared from the flames, it sustained water damage during firefighting efforts. His personal assistant confirmed that critical equipment, documents, and files remained unharmed.

However, nearby offices were not as fortunate. The conference room, along with the offices of Dr. Yumkella’s confidential secretary and personal assistant, were completely destroyed. The office of the Director of Ministerial Coordination, Dr. Martin Gbonda, was also lost in the blaze, with no items salvaged.

The fire erupted on the fourth floor of the building’s West Wing and prompted a swift emergency response. Firefighters, supported by various government agencies, worked to contain the flames.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. In the meantime, attention is focused on assessing the extent of the damage and supporting those impacted.

Dr. Yumkella’s team expressed solidarity with affected colleagues and emphasized their commitment to the ongoing investigation.