On Wednesday evening, January 10, social media (Facebook) got flooded with claims from several online platforms including Monrovia TV that the building housing the offices of the Liberia Telecom Authority (LTA) was gutted by fire. The situation prompted the presence of the Liberia Fire Service.
Fact Check By: Siaway T. Miapue- [email protected]
The Claim
Monrovia TV post, “Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) is on fire… Liberia National Fire Service just arrived.”
The post, which was shared on FRIES FM, generated over 400 comments and reactions combined, in 16 hours.
The post emerged days after fire gutted the Ministry of Transport – another Government Agency.
Rating Justification
To fact-check this claim, we first reviewed the LTA official Facebook page for any statement related to the claim but found no information. However, two hours after the claim was made, LTA responded via its official Facebook page that there was no fire at the entity.
We further contacted LTA’s Director of Public Affairs, Ms. Jarsea Burph who said it was a light of a scented candle in the building that was mistaken for flames.
According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries, ‘Scented’ is an adjective describing a strong pleasant smell.
On Friday, January 12, our fact checker visited the compound of LTA in Paynesville to ascertain first-hand information about the situation.
Joy Chichi Onos, DOP at the LTA, accompanied by the compound security officers took us to the last floor of the building in the boardroom where the alleged fire incident occurred.
According to Mrs Onos, it was a scented candle-flame that was lift in the boardroom after having its regular board meeting late Wednesday evening.
The candle was enclosed in a glass specially made for it. No damage was caused and normal activities are ongoing at the LTA.
Conclusion
Based on the research, we conclude that the claim is misleading. There was no fire outbreak at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority as claimed in the Facebook posts. Normal activities are ongoing at the LTA and there is no damage to the building containing the offices. It was a scented candle left in the board office after having its regular meeting late Wednesday, January 10.
