Monrovia, Liberia – Reports say 27 children have been burnt to death in a fire disaster in the Monrovia suburb of Paynesville along with a male adult, prompting President George Weah to visit the scene of the disaster early Wednesday morning.
So far, the cause of the fire is not known, but the National Fire Service and the Liberia National Police are investigating the incident.
Dr. George Manneh Weah on September 18, 2019, visited the scene of the fire disaster that reportedly left 28 children charred to death, promising the Muslim community of government’s cooperation and provision of the necessary resources to thoroughly investigate the cause of the fatal incident, an Executive Mansion press release says.
“It is completely heartbreaking and unfortunate that we lost this high number of innocent citizens to fire. On behalf of my government, I extend sincere sympathies,” the President told the crowd the community residents who had gathered to behold the tragic scene.
The President assured the families and Muslim community that government will work with them to investigate the cause of the fire and to assist the bereaved families in anyway possible.
Monrovia Wednesday morning awoke to reports of fire gutting an Islamic school compound of predominantly teens who were also boarding there, leaving nearly thirty persons dead.
President Weah made is first stop of the day’s activities at the scene of the incident to get a firsthand insight of the unfortunate situation, personally identifying with the beavered families in particular and the Muslim Community in general.
The Liberian leader, who was accompanied by several officials of government, described the pitiful and horrific the fire incident that has befallen the nation and the Muslim community.
“I was touched by the terrible news and decided to rush here this morning to see for myself the families of the children and the community leadership to extend my sympathy,” the President said. “It is saddening even when a single citizen dies; what much more about 28 children, potential leaders, who were aspiring for a better and prosperous future.”
President Weah stated: “It is saddening to mourn the loss of these of kids, just after few days when we came together to celebrate the home-coming of Muslim pilgrims from Mecca. Please take solace in the Almighty Allah during these trying times because he is the creator—the giver and retriever of life.”
“Let Allah give you strength to continue what you were doing for the deceased children for other children so that they become good citizens,” he told the bereaved families.
The children, according to the Grand Mufti of Monrovia, Shieh Abubakar Sumarou, will be buried in a mass grave after the funeral rites, according to an Executive Mansion press release.