By Josephine Sesay

Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, on Monday inspected ECOWAS Street after a destructive fire swept through the area, destroying multiple shops and business premises along one of the capital’s busiest trading routes.

The blaze erupted on Sunday, February 8, and spread swiftly due to the close proximity of structures in the area. Eyewitnesses reported heavy smoke and chaotic scenes as traders hurried to rescue goods and equipment from their shops.

During the inspection, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr was accompanied by Deputy Mayor Kweku Lisk and officials from the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), who have begun assessing the scale of losses suffered by traders and business owners.

Firefighters and security personnel responded promptly to contain the fire and prevent further damage to surrounding buildings. While no casualties were recorded, authorities described the destruction of property as severe, leaving many traders uncertain about how to recover from the losses.

Addressing affected traders, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr expressed concern over the incident and assured them of the city council’s support. She emphasized the need for thorough investigations to determine the cause of the fire and to strengthen fire prevention measures in commercial areas.

NDMA officials confirmed that assessments are ongoing and that investigations have been launched to establish the origin of the fire.

The incident follows a similar fire outbreak in recent months on Race Course Road in Up Gun, where dozens of spare parts shops were destroyed, highlighting ongoing fire safety challenges in densely populated commercial zones.

Authorities have urged the public to cooperate with emergency services as recovery efforts and investigations continue

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 11th February 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)