Fire burned down Two-Bedroom House in Paynesville, Leaving Family Homeless.

By: Lawrence D. Kawala

PAYNESVILLE – A fire gutted a two-bedroom house on Tuesday morning, July 9, 2024, in the Worldwide Community in Paynesville around 10 a.m. The fire, which started due to a five-year-old boy playing with matches, has left a family homeless, according to sources.

Madam Victoria Cooper, the mother of the boy and one of the victims, recounted the incident. She was asleep when her son accidentally ignited some clothes. It was the noise from the community residents, who were shouting about the fire, that woke her up. She managed to escape the house with her five-year-old son and a two-year-old girl.

The fire quickly consumed the house, leaving the family with nothing. Madam Cooper is now calling on the government, philanthropists, and well-wishers to come to her aid as she and her children have been left without a home.

Chairman Henry Gbokpa of the Worldwide Community has also appealed for help. He urged Montserrado County, District #4 Representative Michael Thomas to assist the fire victims.
In the interim, Chairman Gbokpa has offered temporary shelter to the victims in his home and is coordinating with other community members to accommodate the family.

Chairman Gbokpa emphasized the need for caution among residents, advising them to be careful with matches and to avoid illegal power connections, which are frequent causes of fires. He announced plans to hold a community meeting to discuss fire safety measures.

The National Fire Service team was contacted during the fire outbreak.
However, residents reported that the team arrived only after the house had been completely burned down.

Madam Cooper expressed her gratitude for the support she has received from neighbors but stressed the urgent need for more substantial assistance to rebuild her life and secure a stable home for her children.

The incident has sparked discussions within the community about fire prevention and the importance of educating children on the dangers of playing with fire.

As the family awaits the intervention of the National Government and other NGOs for aid, community members are assisting with immediate necessities, showcasing the strength and solidarity of the Worldwide Community in times of crisis.