By Ebrima Mbaye
A catastrophic fire tore through the residence of the village Imam in Kerewan Samba Sira, Sawaneh Kunda, in the early hours of Tuesday, reducing the family compound to ashes and displacing its occupants. The blaze, which began around 1:00 a.m. and raged until nearly 5:00 a.m., has left the tight-knit community reeling from the loss of a cherished home and decades of family heritage.
No lives were lost, and no injuries were reported, but the emotional and material devastation has struck deep. The fire obliterated traditional books, family documents, clothing, furniture, and food supplies, leaving the Imam, his wife, children, and elderly relatives with nothing but the support of their neighbors.
Ba Lamin Sawaneh, a resident of the compound, recounted the harrowing night to The Alkamba Times: “We were awakened by thick smoke and the sound of cracking timber. By the time we realized what was happening, the flames had engulfed the main rooms. We could only scream for help,” he said, his voice heavy with grief.
Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been sparked by a fault in the home’s solar power system, the primary source of electricity for the compound. Residents suspect an overheated or malfunctioning component ignited the thatched roofing and flammable materials, fueling the inferno. Investigations are ongoing to confirm the exact cause.
As flames consumed the house, neighbors from surrounding compounds sprang into action, armed with buckets of water and sand in a desperate bid to contain the blaze. Their efforts, combined with the timely arrival of the Gambia Fire and Rescue Services, prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent homes. “We extend heartfelt thanks to the villagers, neighbors, and the Fire and Rescue Services for their tireless work to contain this disaster,” Ba Lamin said.
By dawn, the once-vibrant compound was reduced to charred wood, twisted metal, and smoldering ash. The Imam and his family have been temporarily relocated to nearby homes as the community rallies to provide food, clothing, and shelter. Youth leaders and elders have issued urgent calls for assistance from local authorities, philanthropists, and humanitarian organizations. “The Imam is our spiritual father. His loss is a wound to the moral fabric of our village,” said one elderly resident.
The tragedy has sparked broader concerns about the safety of solar energy systems in rural communities. Many homes rely on such systems, often installed without professional oversight or safety features. “This is a wake-up call,” said Ousman Jabang, a technician who volunteers with community electrification projects. “Solar systems are vital, but without proper maintenance or safety measures, they can become dangerous.”
Fires in remote villages, such as Kerewan Samba Sira, often face delayed emergency responses due to poor road access and limited communication infrastructure. In this case, the swift intervention of the Fire and Rescue Services was credited with averting a larger catastrophe. However, the incident has underscored the need for improved fire prevention and emergency response systems in rural areas.
As the community mourns the loss of the Imam’s home, residents are uniting to rebuild. “This is a test of our resilience,” said a youth leader. “We will come together to restore what was lost and ensure this never happens again.”
For now, the Imam’s family leans on the generosity of their neighbors, their faith, and the hope of a brighter future amid the ashes of their past.
