Capitol Building Fire Was Arson, International Investigators Conclude

MONROVIA, LIBERIA —A fire that engulfed the Capitol Building in December 2024 was deliberately set, according to a report from Fire Rescue Alliance (FRA) investigators. The comprehensive investigation, which concluded on March 4, 2025, determined that the blaze was incendiary in nature, ruling out accidental causes.

The fire broke out on the morning of December 18, 2024, near the Speaker’s podium in the legislative joint chamber. FRA experts, working alongside the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) and law enforcement, found that ignitable liquids were used to accelerate the fire’s spread, suggesting intentional arson. Investigators also discovered eight one-gallon containers placed near exits—an indication of deliberate obstruction to egress and increased fire spread.

Witness statements and physical evidence confirmed that the first windows to shatter were on the building’s west side, allowing additional oxygen to fuel the fire. Burn pattern analysis indicated that the fire moved rapidly, reaching the ceiling through a wood-paneled vertical wall behind the Speaker’s podium.

Additionally, the report ruled out an electrical cause, as no signs of arcing or short-circuiting were found at the fire’s point of origin. Building maintenance staff also confirmed that air conditioning units were not operational at the time, further eliminating electrical failure as a possible cause.

The investigation, led by retired U.S. fire chiefs Ken Prillaman, Jerry Streich, and Mark Lynde, involved a meticulous site evaluation, forensic analysis, and evidence transfer to Liberian authorities. On March 4, 2025, the case was officially closed but may be reopened if new information emerges.