Africa-Press – Liberia. Families affected by a devastating fire in Harper City are urgently appealing to humanitarian organizations, lawmakers, and the Liberian Government for assistance after losing their only means of livelihood.
The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon, January 25, 2026, along Maryland Avenue at the Airfield Junction in Harper City, destroying at least three business shops. Preliminary information suggests the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical fault from nearby power poles.
According to affected shop owners, all businesses had been closed for the weekend, with electrical appliances switched off and circuit breakers down, as operators had traveled home and planned to resume work on Monday. Instead, they returned to scenes of total devastation, with shops and goods reduced to ashes.
Victims say there has been no official statement from LIBENERGY, the private electricity provider operating in the area, regarding the incident. Similarly, the Liberian National Fire Service in Maryland County has yet to release a report establishing the cause of the fire. However, LIBENERGY technicians were observed at the scene the following day repairing damaged power lines and burnt pole wires.
While victims were clearing debris on Monday, a FrontPage Africa reporter visited the scene and spoke with affected families.
Eric Clarke, eldest son of Madam Helena Clarke—whose central market shop was completely destroyed—expressed appreciation to community members who helped prevent the fire from spreading further.
“If not for the community people and passersby who used water, sand, and other means, the fire would have extended to nearby houses,” Clarke said.
He explained that his mother supports seven children, including three students at William V.S. Tubman University and two others in high school, all of whom depend solely on income from the shop.
“Since the incident, none of us has registered for this semester,” Clarke said. “Even food is now difficult to get, let alone school fees.”
Clarke added that at the time of the fire, the shop’s breaker was turned off and all appliances were disconnected, leaving the family uncertain about the exact cause. However, witnesses reportedly heard popping sounds from a nearby power pole shortly before the flames spread to the shop.
Now left without any means of income, the family is appealing to humanitarian organizations, government agencies, and well-meaning Liberians for immediate assistance.
According to Clarke, their most urgent needs include cement, sand, zinc, and other construction materials to enable the rapid reconstruction of the shop.
Although the children’s education remains uncertain and the family faces severe hardship, Clarke said rebuilding the shop would restore hope and provide a pathway toward stability following the tragedy.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
