Monrovia, Liberia – A massive explosion rocked the MIRA Oxygen and Gas Incorporated facility along the Japan Freeway in Monrovia on Monday, September 15, leaving at least seven people severely injured and sparking frantic emergency response efforts.
By Willie N. Tokpah and Gerald C. Koinyeneh
The blast, reportedly triggered by the ignition of one of the company’s oxygen tankers, sent shockwaves across the capital and reignited concerns about industrial safety in Liberia.
Emergency Response
The Liberia Fire Service (LFS), the Liberia National Police, and other emergency units rushed to the scene to contain the blaze and prevent further explosions.
Deputy Fire Service Director for Operations, Edwin Tisdell, who was on-site, described the incident as “unfortunate” and stressed the urgent need for safety compliance at facilities handling hazardous materials.
“We have not confirmed any deaths for now, but several people have been injured,” he said. “When you have a factory like this, you need to have proper fire protection equipment, including fire trucks. We need accountability.”
Tisdell added that the risk of secondary explosions remained high and urged the public to stay away from the area.
Multiple workers were believed to be inside the facility at the time of the blast. As of Monday evening, search and rescue operations were ongoing, with families anxiously awaiting word on their loved ones.
One man, searching for his brother Jefferson, told reporters:
“I haven’t seen my brother among those rescued. I just want to know if he’s okay. This is just scary and unfortunate.”
Inside the Blast
MIRA employee Lewis recounted the terrifying moment the explosion occurred:
“One of the tankers was having a problem. A technician was told to tighten something, and then, boom—it exploded.”
Lewis said he and others outside escaped unharmed, but several colleagues inside were badly injured.
Safety Concerns Raised
The incident has renewed scrutiny of workplace safety standards in Liberia. MIRA Oxygen and Gas is a key supplier of medical oxygen and cooking gas in the country, but company officials were unavailable for comment.
Deputy Director Tisdell called for immediate safety reviews across all similar facilities, stressing the need for inspections and fire suppression systems.
Investigation Launched
Joint security forces cordoned off the area, confirming that an investigation is underway to establish the cause of the explosion and assess potential regulatory violations.
Emergency crews battled the fire late into the night to prevent additional blasts from oxygen tanks at risk of overheating.
Not the First Explosion
This latest tragedy follows a deadly blast in February at the Sethi Ferro Fabrik Factory, where an oxygen tank explosion killed one person and injured several others. That incident raised alarms about weak safety enforcement across Liberia’s industrial sector.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after concluding its investigation into the February 17 explosion at the Monrovia Industrial Park, imposed a US$5,000 fine on the company for operating without a valid environmental permit. The blast claimed the life of factory worker Saah J. Samukai and heightened concerns about workplace safety and environmental compliance.
During a press conference, the EPA revealed that Sethi Ferro Fabrik was in gross violation of multiple safety regulations. Investigators found that the factory lacked adequate fire safety measures, mishandled oxygen tanks, and used overaged compressed gas cylinders. As a result, the EPA ordered the immediate closure of the facility on February 19 until corrective measures were implemented.
Like Sethi, the MIRA explosion has once again spotlighted the urgent need for stronger safety standards, tougher inspections, and greater accountability to prevent future disasters.
