By Davida Spaine Solomon
Freetown, 23rd February 2026- The Mayor of Freetown City Council has responded to growing public concerns over the delay in clearing fire debris along ECOWAS Street, confirming that the area has now been fully cleared.
Residents had raised complaints about the accumulation of rubble and waste following a devastating fire on Sunday, 8th February, which destroyed three buildings on ECOWAS Street. In her response, the Mayor explained that the cleanup process began immediately after the incident but was disrupted by an unfortunate tragedy.
According to her statement, debris from the burnt buildings had been pushed onto the street by residents. While sanitation workers commenced clearing operations the following day, one of the Council’s trucks was involved in a fatal accident at the scene, resulting in the death of a passerby. The truck driver was subsequently detained by the Sierra Leone Police for several days to assist with investigations.
Despite the setback, the Mayor noted that other sanitation workers continued the cleanup efforts daily, even after completing their routine duties. She described the debris as “unplanned and significant,” requiring sustained effort to fully remove.
Following what she termed a “final concerted effort” on Tuesday night, the Council confirmed that the last of the fire debris on ECOWAS Street has now been cleared.
The Mayor thanked residents for their patience and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to maintaining cleanliness and responding to emergencies across the city.
