06/01/2026
Tragic Blaze Claims Five Lives in Makeni, Regent Chief Conteh Escapes with Burns.
By Idrissa Jerry
Makeni, Bombali District January 6, 2026
A devastating fire has claimed the lives of five members of the family of Regent Chief Foday Conteh of Bombali Sebora Chiefdom, plunging the community into mourning early Tuesday morning.
The inferno, which erupted at the Chief’s Grace Land residence in Makeni, killed his wife, Isatu Conteh, and four of his children. One of the victims was reportedly unrecognizable due to the intensity of the blaze. Chief Conteh narrowly escaped with second-degree burns and was rushed to the Emergency Hospital in Freetown for urgent treatment. The burnt remains of the victims have been conveyed to the Makeni Regional Hospital mortuary.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire’s cause remains unknown, and local fire services were unable to respond promptly due to a broken engine, raising urgent questions about emergency preparedness in the city. “By the time we saw the fire, it was already too late to save them,” said a neighbor who witnessed the incident. “Makeni has seen many fire incidents before, and every time it happens, families are devastated.”
Makeni and surrounding communities in Bombali District have witnessed frequent fire outbreaks over the past decade, often resulting in fatalities and loss of property. Experts warn that outdated electrical systems, lack of fire-fighting infrastructure, and delayed response times continue to endanger lives.
The tragedy has sparked widespread grief, with local residents expressing solidarity and calling on government authorities to strengthen fire safety measures and emergency response capabilities. The incident underscores the persistent vulnerability of households in Makeni to fire hazards, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures, community awareness, and functional fire-fighting equipment to prevent further loss of life.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the blaze, while families and the community grapple with the emotional toll of losing five loved ones in a single night.
