Concern is mounting in Kenema after a fourth fire outbreak within five months struck Nyapui School for Girls, prompting the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to announce plans for a comprehensive investigation into the recurring incidents.
The latest fire, which occurred on 11 June 2026, ravaged a key administrative block housing the Principal’s Office, Computer Laboratory, administrative offices, and temporary classrooms that had been serving students displaced by earlier fire outbreaks. The destruction has further strained the institution’s already challenged learning environment.
During a visit to the school on 13 June, NDMA Director General John Vandy Rogers expressed concern over the repeated disasters and disclosed plans to establish an inter-agency investigative committee to uncover the root cause of the incidents.
According to Rogers, the committee will comprise representatives from security agencies, environmental authorities, local stakeholders, and other relevant institutions. The team will be tasked with conducting a thorough assessment of the fires, identifying possible causes, and recommending measures to prevent future occurrences.
“The frequency of these incidents demands a coordinated and detailed investigation,” Rogers emphasized, noting that protecting students, staff, and school infrastructure remains a national priority.
School authorities described the repeated fires as a major setback to academic activities and student welfare. They noted that the destruction of critical facilities has reduced classroom space, disrupted administrative operations, and affected accommodation arrangements for students.
The latest incident follows a series of devastating fires that have plagued the school since the beginning of the year. On 3 February 2026, a major blaze destroyed part of the school’s boarding hostel, forcing students from their dormitories and causing extensive property damage. Emergency assistance was later provided by the NDMA to support affected students.
A separate fire outbreak on 25 May damaged a section of a dormitory building and destroyed students’ personal belongings. Quick intervention by security personnel and community members prevented the flames from spreading to other structures, and no casualties were reported.
In the wake of the most recent disaster, the NDMA has pledged to work with development partners and stakeholders to support recovery efforts, rebuild damaged infrastructure, and help restore normal teaching and learning conditions at the school.
The repeated fire incidents have sparked growing concern among parents, guardians, and residents across Kenema, many of whom are calling for urgent action to determine the cause of the outbreaks and strengthen fire safety measures at the institution.
As investigations prepare to get underway, stakeholders hope the findings will provide answers to the mystery surrounding the recurring fires and help prevent further destruction at one of the region’s prominent girls’ schools.