By Alvin Lansana Kargbo

A catastrophic fire swept through the Water Quay Timber Depot at 4 Mile - First Step on Thursday, February 6, 2025, around 2:00 PM, reducing over 450 containers of high-quality timber to ashes. The blaze, which raged for hours, left investors, traders and workers devastated, deepening the crisis in an industry already struggling under a Government-imposed ban.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and despair as the fire engulfed the depot, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky. Despite the rapid response of the Sierra Leone Fire Force, which deployed five fire trucks to battle the flames, the inferno proved unstoppable.

Bubakar Jalloh, a key investor in the timber trade, was among the hardest hit. Speaking with frustration, he recounted the moment he received the call informing him of the disaster. "I rushed to the scene, but by the time I arrived, everything was gone. The Fire Force did their best, but it was too late. My investors have lost millions and I have no answers for them," he lamented.

The loss of over 450 containers of timber comes at a time when the industry has been crippled by a two-year ban on timber production and trade. Many investors, including Abdulai Barrie, were already struggling to stay afloat.

"This fire has made a bad situation worse. Beyond the financial losses, it has a serious impact on the many unemployed youth who depend on this trade for survival," Abdulai Barrie said.

For many in the area, timber trading is more than just a business; it is a source of livelihood. Aminata, a wage trader, has relied on the industry for over three years, using timber to produce charcoal for sale while also running a small food business at the depot. Now, she faces an uncertain future.

"I am frustrated and worried," she said. "Many women like me survive on this trade. What does this mean for us? How will we feed our families?"

As the smoke clears, affected traders and investors are calling on the Government to reconsider its stance on timber trading. With the ban already crippling the industry, they argue that lifting restrictions could provide a path to recovery from this latest setback.

However, the cause of the fire remains unknown, with authorities yet to provide an official explanation. Investigations are expected to follow, but for now, the destruction at Water Quay Timber Depot stands as a grim reminder of the challenges facing Sierra Leone’s timber industry.

As affected individuals begin to pick up the pieces, one question looms large: Can they recover from this devastating loss or will this fire mark the end of an already struggling industry?