Over three million dalasis worth of materials perished in an inferno in the village of Jidda, in the Kantora district in Upper River Region, when a house belonging to one Alhagie Lasana Touray was gutted by fire recently.
According to Hon. Saikou Susso, the National Assembly Member for Kantora, the house provided shelter to 35 people, and was valued at D1 million.
The actual cause of the fire is still unknown, he said, adding that it started at around 13:30 pm, and ravaged the entire house, including household materials such as beds, plastic chairs, wardrobes and cupboards, tables, two television sets, 16 solar system panels, two satellite discs, gold and silver jewellery, foodstuffs, 25 suitcases with clothes, and three refrigerators, among others.
The physical cash lost in the fire was also reported as follows: D146, 000, US$ 2,200, FCFA1,300 and 1,200 Euro.
Hon. Suso appealed for financial and material assistance on behalf of the victims from the government, NGOs, the National Disaster Management Agency, Basse Area Council, and individual philanthropists since, according to him, the victims are in dire need of assistance.
He used the occasion to advise people to be mindful of fire, which he said, could be disastrous and stressed that children should not be allowed to use or play with fire.
Hon. Susso described the incident as worst in many years, because of the gravity of the destruction caused to the victims.
He thanked the residents for quick responding to the aid of the victims by extinguishing the fire, saying that he will knock at all doors to seek support of the Touray family of Jidda.
