Published: October 7, 2025
MONROVIA — An overheated solar panel battery triggered the blaze that destroyed the Paynesville home of National Security Agency Director Prince C. Johnson, the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) said Tuesday in its official investigative report.
The LNFS concluded that the fire erupted from the solar batteries installed at the residence in Soul Clinic Community, causing an electrical short circuit that quickly spread through the building.
“The fire originated from solar panel batteries that were overheating at the residence. It produced an electrical shock circuit,” the LNFS report stated. “There was no fire safety equipment on the premises, and initial attempts by community dwellers to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful.”
Residents said the flames broke out in the early hours of the morning, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air. Neighbors scrambled with buckets of water and sand to save the property, but the fire consumed much of the structure before firefighters arrived.
No injuries or fatalities were reported, but the damage to the building was described as extensive.
The LNFS report highlighted that no fire extinguishers or smoke alarms were present in the home, a gap that officials say hindered efforts to contain the blaze.
Authorities warned that the incident underscores the growing safety risks of improperly installed or poorly maintained solar energy systems—a trend gaining momentum across Liberia as more households adopt alternative power sources amid unreliable electricity supply.
Fire Service officials urged residents to ensure that solar and electrical systems are installed by certified professionals and to equip their homes with basic fire safety devices.
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