The speaker of Liberia’s House of Representatives found himself questioned by law enforcement after a destructive blaze consumed the joint chambers of the legislature. Residents in the capital awoke to the sight of thick black smoke and roaring flames. Although no one occupied the building when the fire broke out, the inferno devastated the legislature’s central meeting area.
Authorities brought several individuals in for questioning, including the speaker and a well-known representative. Investigators seek explanations for statements made prior to the incident, noting that a lawmaker had apparently threatened to set fire to the chambers in a social media video. Critics accuse factions within the legislature of fueling tensions through heated rhetoric. The fire erupted one day after a group of lawmakers had threatened to remove the speaker from office, leading to a tense public demonstration. Security forces detained protesters, including a notable political figure, during that confrontation.
Government officials offered a reward for information that might clarify the cause of the blaze. The president expressed deep disappointment and ordered a thorough investigation. Political leaders now wrestle with an ongoing power struggle in the House of Representatives, as one faction insists it has legitimately replaced the speaker, while another calls that move unconstitutional. A Supreme Court ruling failed to resolve the dispute, leaving a bitter standoff and worries that political infighting could undermine democracy.
Observers warn that the fire and its aftermath reveal deeper systemic problems, raising questions about the stability and integrity of the nation’s political institutions.