By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara

A family of three has reportedly lost their lives after a fence collapsed on their home at Goderich Metchkem, Kailahun Court Barry, during the early hours of Monday following heavy rainfall.

According to reports, the overnight downpour, described by residents as intense and prolonged, weakened the fence before it suddenly gave way, crashing onto the residence while the victims were inside. The family reportedly had no chance to escape the collapsing structure.

The tragic incident has left residents of the community in shock and renewed concerns about the safety of buildings and retaining walls in flood-prone communities during the peak of the rainy season.

Eyewitnesses said the heavy rainfall lasted for several hours, causing flooding in parts of the area and increasing the risk of structural failures. Community members expressed fears that similar incidents could occur if vulnerable buildings and fences are not urgently assessed.

As of the time of publication, authorities had not issued an official statement on the incident or confirmed the identities of the victims. However, residents have appealed to the relevant government agencies and local authorities to carry out immediate inspections of aging and unstable structures to prevent further loss of life.

The latest tragedy adds to growing concerns over the devastating impact of the rainy season across Freetown and surrounding communities, where heavy rains have repeatedly caused flooding, landslides, and the collapse of buildings and other structures.

With rainfall expected to continue in the coming weeks, disaster management experts have continued to urge residents living in high-risk areas to remain vigilant and report any signs of structural weakness, while calling for stronger enforcement of building standards and proactive measures to reduce disaster risks across the country.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 5th August 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)