Published: August 22, 2025
PLEEBO CITY — A fire that destroyed a businessman’s home and storage facility in southeastern Liberia has reignited concerns over the absence of firefighting infrastructure in Maryland County.
The blaze, which broke out this week in Pleebo City’s Zone Four community, consumed property valued at more than $83,000, according to residents. Businessman Gyude Morgan said his eight-room home and two storage areas, housing supplies for his family of nine children, were reduced to ashes before any effective response could be mounted.
Witnesses said the fire began in a nearby mud house before spreading rapidly. With no fire truck or specialized equipment available, residents resorted to buckets of water and sand in a desperate but futile effort to contain the flames.
Calls for Action
Pleebo City Mayor Larry G. Geekor described the tragedy as a warning sign for the county.
“This should be a wake-up call,” Geekor said. “We are calling on His Excellency the President of Liberia to urgently provide at least one fire truck to the people of Pleebo. We also need to step up fire safety education to prevent future disasters.”
Personal Loss
For Morgan, the destruction was total. A father of nine, six of them still in school, he said he had lost everything he had worked for.
“I have lost everything,” Morgan said. “I am appealing to humanitarian organizations and well-meaning individuals to come to my aid.”
Broader Concerns
The incident has underscored a wider problem across rural Liberia: towns outside Monrovia remain without emergency firefighting services, leaving communities vulnerable. Local leaders warn that without urgent investment in fire infrastructure and public awareness, more families could face similar devastation.
Meanwhile, sympathizers continue to console Morgan and his family as appeals for assistance gather momentum.
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