STAND Headquarters Burn in Early-Morning Blaze; Cause Still Unknown

Congo Town, Liberia: The headquarters of the pro-democracy advocacy group STAND, situated in Congo Town, went up in flames early Thursday morning, shocking residents and commuters in the area. The fire, which ignited around dawn, produced heavy plumes of smoke that could be seen rising above the neighborhood as locals scrambled to notify authorities and prevent the blaze from spreading.

The Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service has not yet released an official explanation for what triggered the incident. At this stage, investigators have not determined whether the fire was accidental or intentionally set. According to eyewitnesses, the building was already engulfed in intense flames by the time emergency teams arrived.

The timing of the incident is noteworthy, as STAND led by political activist Mulbah Morlu is in the midst of organizing a major nationwide protest for December 17. The demonstration is expected to draw significant attention as the group rallies citizens over concerns related to governance, economic hardship, and alleged state misconduct.

With just days left before the planned rally, the fire has raised concerns about potential disruptions to STAND’s preparations. The organization has yet to issue a public statement detailing the extent of the damage or clarifying whether the blaze will affect logistical arrangements for the upcoming protest.

Authorities are continuing their investigation, and further updates are anticipated once STAND and fire officials provide more information.