A midnight fire on Wednesday severely damaged the 9th Street residence of former Liberian President George Manneh Weah, prompting neighbors to intervene after Weah himself raised the alarm.
Witnesses told reporters that community members worked to contain the blaze before the Liberia Fire Service arrived. According to reports, the fire originated in the former president’s bedroom.
At the scene, Acting Chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Janga Kowo, described the incident as “very concerning,” noting that the destruction inside the house was extensive. “We’re trying to understand what happened because this is the bedroom of the former president,” he said.
Kowo confirmed that Mr. Weah was unharmed. Reporters were barred from entering the compound, but fire service trucks and an ambulance were later seen departing the property.
Several senior political figures, including former Speaker Fonati Koffa, ex-Minister of State Nathaniel McGill, Montserrado County Representative Acarous Gray, and former Foreign Minister Maxwell Kemayah, rushed to the scene after hearing of the fire.
The incident occurred just two days after Mr. Weah’s return from abroad, where he promised to oversee the reconstruction of the CDC headquarters “in record time.” Authorities have yet to release an official explanation for the cause of the fire.
