By Foday Moriba Conteh
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 swiftly responded to distress calls from concerned community members about a dangerously unstable two-storey building on Priscilla Street in Freetown.
The NDMA’s Western Region Coordinator, Gerald King, led a team to the site to perform a comprehensive vulnerability risk assessment. Their investigation revealed severe structural weaknesses in the building, owned by Dudley Cowan. The structure showed significant cracks and detaching filaments and beams from the foundation up to all four corners, indicating an imminent risk of collapse.
The findings highlighted the severe danger the building posed, not only to its occupants but also to the surrounding community. A potential collapse threatened a nearby community bridge, which could result in a critical access cut-off.
As the assessment proceeded, the building’s occupants, including two families and the owner, voluntarily evacuated. Authorities immediately cordoned off all access points to the building and the bridge to ensure public safety.
Given the critical condition of the building, immediate action is essential to protect lives and prevent further property damage. The NDMA, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has initiated a coordinated effort to carry out a controlled demolition of the building, aiming to prevent an uncontrolled collapse.
This incident underscores the urgent need for swift intervention to address the risks posed by structurally compromised buildings and to safeguard the well-being of the Freetown community.
