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By: Staff Writer
Freeport, Monrovia– A sudden explosion at Mira Gas Incorporated’s facility in the Freeport Community, District 13, Montserrado, has left dozens of employees wounded and ignited a storm of public concern over safety standards at the gas distributor.
Mira Gas, one of Liberia’s leading suppliers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), has in recent years expanded its footprint in Monrovia, providing households and small businesses with cylinders of various sizes. Alongside sales, the company also operates refilling services—an operation now under scrutiny following the blast.
The explosion, which erupted during working hours, was described by residents as deafening. At first, some mistook the thunderous sound for normal industrial activity.
“At first when I heard the sound, I thought it came from Cemenco. But later I realized it was from this fence,” recounted resident Marthalin Johnson.
According to workers, the incident occurred during a gas transfer supervised by a staff identified only as Melvin.
“He was taking the goods from the big tank. Probably he didn’t close the tank properly but went ahead and removed the pipe that was used to offload, resulting in the explosion,” one insider alleged, noting that the lack of an emergency exit worsened the scale of casualties.
More than eighteen workers reportedly sustained injuries—some severe—and were rushed to the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Sinkor. Unconfirmed accounts suggest additional victims were taken to other health facilities for emergency care.
News of the blast drew throngs of residents, many chanting “We want see, we want see” as they pressed for proof of the casualties. District 13 Representative Edward Papy Flomo appeared on the scene to engage the restless crowd.
Police officers, however, restricted public access, warning that the facility remained unsafe.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dispatched investigators while Inspector General R. Baiyezinah Brown of the Liberia National Police confirmed a probe is underway.
“We are doing investigation and we have not concluded the preliminary investigation to provide the press the necessary information within 24 hours,” Brown explained.
Responding to widespread rumors, Brown dismissed claims of fatalities: “I didn’t see any dead body when I went in there.” His remarks were echoed by Edwin Tisdell, Deputy for Operations at the Liberia National Fire Service.
Uncertainty still surrounds the true number of injured. While Tisdell initially placed the figure at seven, multiple eyewitnesses and workers maintain that more than twenty employees were affected.
As of press time, Mira Gas management has not issued an official statement but hinted that a formal response will be released soon.
