13/08/2025
Tragedy Strikes 72nd Community: Three Family Members Perish in Devastating House Fire.
By: Josephus Larwah Boayou August 13, 2025
Paynesville, Liberia - A devastating house fire in the 72nd Community has claimed the lives of three family members: Emmanuel Bartee, 43; Helena Bartee, 38; and their son, Abraham Bartee, 5. The incident occurred near the "Help Yourself Entertainment and Guest House" on August 13, 2025.
Witnesses, stated the incident might have occurred around 3-4 am dwellers heard people shouting "fire" have engulfed the dirt and cements brick house.
Despite swift intervention by the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the Liberia National Police (LNP), the victims could not be saved.
However, a dog, reportedly covered in bruises, managed to escape through a broken window.
A close neighbor who described the incident as shocking, stating that the family was asleep when the fire started.
Another neighbor who was devastating about the incident, indicated the intensiveness of the flames, that couldn't rescue anyone.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be established, but witnesses speculated that it may have resulted from an electric shock.
At the same time Hon.Noah Zarwu Gibson, Deputy Managing Director/Operation at the National Transit Authority, has called for a speedy investigation into the incident and emphasized the importance of community vigilantes in preventing such tragedies.
The community is mourning as the bodies of the victims were recovered by rescuers. The incident has sparked an outpouring of sympathy for the bereaved family.
