EDSA’S ‘BURN-HOUSE’ SPREE: CITIZENS DEMAND ACTION AS STATE HOUSE FIRE IGNITES NATIONAL OUTRAGE
By Ibrahim Alusine Kamara (Kamalo)
Frustration is mounting across Sierra Leone as a disturbing wave of household fires—blamed on the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority’s (EDSA) unstable power supply—continues to wreak havoc. Communities, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, are calling for immediate and decisive action from the country’s energy authorities, as public trust in the agency hits rock bottom.
Over the past few months, multiple homes have been engulfed in flames, with victims pointing to EDSA’s erratic and often poorly managed electricity distribution as the cause. Frequent power surges and abrupt outages, they claim, are not only damaging appliances but also sparking fires that have led to devastating property losses.
“This is no longer just about blackout frustrations. EDSA’s recklessness is destroying lives,” said Mariatu Kallon, a fire victim from the east end of Freetown. “We are losing our homes, our belongings, and our peace of mind.”
Public anger reached new heights on Saturday, April 12, 2025, when a fire broke out at State House, causing significant damage to one of the country’s most important government buildings. The incident, while shocking in its symbolism, has become a flashpoint for broader national outrage—an emblem of a crisis that many believe could have been avoided.
“For years, ordinary citizens have been crying out about fires in their communities linked to faulty electricity,” said Idriss Koroma, a civil society advocate. “Now that State House itself has burned, it’s clear no one is immune. But this didn’t have to happen—this was a failure of leadership and accountability.”
Critics argue that the State House fire should never have occurred and that it merely highlights years of ignored warnings, mismanagement, and inaction by those responsible for the country’s energy infrastructure. For many, it’s the clearest sign yet that the energy crisis has spiraled into a national emergency.
Energy sector experts, civil society organizations, and everyday citizens are now calling for a top-down overhaul of EDSA’s operations. Beyond reforms, they are demanding resignations and criminal investigations into negligence.
“It’s time for the government to act decisively—no more committees or promises,” said Abdulai Conteh, a community activist in Bo. “We need competent leadership, modern infrastructure, and a transparent, accountable strategy. What powers our homes shouldn’t be burning them down—especially not State House.”
As pressure mounts, Sierra Leoneans are left asking: how many more homes—and now institutions—must go up in flames before the energy crisis is treated as the national emergency it clearly is?