A devastating fire in Pleebo City, Maryland County, Liberia has left a family homeless and a community in shock. The two-storey building, owned by local businessman Gyude Morgan, was consumed by flames on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The fire, which originated in a nearby makeshift mud hut shop, quickly spread to Mr. Morgan’s property, reducing both structures to ashes. The building housed not only Mr. Morgan’s family of nine, including six school-aged children and three recent high school graduates, but also served as a business hub, containing two shops on the ground floor and additional rental units. The absence of firefighting equipment in Pleebo left residents helpless, their attempts to extinguish the blaze with buckets of water and sand proving futile.
The incident has brought into sharp focus the precariousness of life in rural Liberia, where a lack of emergency services can translate into utter devastation for families and communities. Mr. Morgan’s life’s work has been erased in a single afternoon, leaving him and his children facing an uncertain future. The loss extends beyond the physical structure, encompassing the family’s livelihood and the children’s education. Mr. Morgan’s plea for assistance underscores the desperate need for support in the aftermath of this tragedy.
While the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, preliminary speculation points to an electrical fault. However, the incident has ignited concerns about fire safety practices within the community. A local electrician from the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) expressed dismay over residents’ tendency to bypass qualified professionals when dealing with electrical issues, often opting for unqualified individuals. He emphasized the importance of contacting the LEC for any electrical problems, although acknowledging the corporation’s limited capacity to provide housing for fire victims.
The community of Pleebo has rallied around the Morgan family, offering moral support and limited material assistance. However, the magnitude of the loss dwarfs the community’s resources, necessitating external intervention. Neighbors have voiced their deep sympathy for the family, acknowledging the profound impact of the fire on Mr. Morgan’s life and future. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of communities lacking adequate fire safety infrastructure.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, the fire raises broader questions about fire prevention and response capabilities in rural Liberia. The lack of firefighting equipment in Pleebo meant that residents could only watch as their neighbor’s home and livelihood were destroyed. This incident underscores the urgent need for investment in fire safety infrastructure and training in communities like Pleebo. The call for government intervention to provide fire service equipment echoes a growing concern about the recurrence of such devastating events.
This fire in Pleebo City is more than just a local tragedy; it is a microcosm of a larger issue affecting many rural communities across Liberia. The incident highlights the devastating consequences of inadequate fire safety measures and the urgent need for improved infrastructure and community education. Mr. Morgan’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of these preventable disasters and a call to action for individuals, organizations, and the government to work together to mitigate future risks and build more resilient communities. The outpouring of sympathy for the Morgan family reflects the community’s recognition of the shared vulnerability and the collective responsibility to address the systemic issues that contributed to this devastating loss.
