On January 8, 2025, Liberian police authorities announced preliminary findings in their investigation of the December 18, 2024 fire at the Capitol Building in Monrovia, concluding that the incident was a deliberate act of arson. Police Inspector General Col. Gregory Coleman, accompanied by National Fire Service Director General G. Warsuwah Barvoul, addressed the media, stating they possessed substantial evidence pointing to arson. While the identities of the suspects were not revealed, authorities confirmed they had been contacted and urged to cooperate with the investigation. Failure to comply would result in arrests, as authorities stressed their commitment to upholding the law and pursuing those responsible.
The fire, which significantly damaged the Rotunda, the joint chamber of the Liberian legislature, occurred amidst political tensions between a majority bloc led by Representative Richard N. Koon and a minority bloc headed by embattled House Speaker Fonati Koffa. Following the fire, 73 individuals participating in an anti-government demonstration at the Capitol the day prior were arrested, along with several persons of interest, including Representative Frank Saah Foko and security personnel on duty during the incident. Some of those initially detained were subsequently released.
The investigation, a joint effort by the police and National Fire Service, involved a meticulous examination of the Capitol Building’s electrical system. Investigators found the building equipped with an automatic breaker system designed to shut off power in case of an electrical fault. Crucially, the breaker remained active during the fire, continuing to supply power to the building, effectively ruling out an electrical malfunction as the cause. Further solidifying the arson theory was the heavy, thick black smoke observed, a characteristic indicative of an intentionally set fire.
Fire Chief Barwoul elaborated on the investigation, highlighting the fire’s color and multi-directional spread as further evidence of arson. He also disclosed the discovery of a container holding flammable material at the scene, a finding corroborated by forensic analysis conducted by the Liberia Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Liberia Petroleum Refining Corporation (LPRC). This physical evidence, coupled with the fire’s behavior, strongly supports the conclusion of a deliberate act.
To ensure a thorough and comprehensive investigation, the Liberian government enlisted the expertise of foreign specialists to examine the collected evidence. The fire scene has been meticulously preserved to allow these international experts to conduct their independent assessment. Col. Coleman expressed confidence that their analysis would reinforce the preliminary findings of arson. He emphasized the criminal nature of the investigation, stating that they possess sufficient evidence to explore aspects of facilitation, conspiracy, and execution related to the arson.
While the specific names of the persons of interest remain classified pending review by the National Security Council, Col. Coleman assured the public that a comprehensive briefing would be provided once the findings are declassified. This briefing will offer further details about the investigation and potentially reveal the identities of those believed to be involved in the arson attack on the Capitol Building. The authorities’ commitment to transparency and accountability is evident in their pledge to share information with the public as soon as national security considerations allow.
