By Godgift Harris
A pre-dawn chemical explosion at the Sethi Brothers Steel Factory in Gardnerville on Saturday, December 6, 2025, has triggered a full-scale investigation.
The investigation, according to a release, also renewed scrutiny over workplace safety standards in some of the major industrial sectors.
The blast, which occurred around 4: a.m. inside the factory’s chemical warehouse, caused significant structural and material damage, though authorities confirmed that no lives were lost.
The cause of the explosion has been linked to unsafe storage and handling of industrial chemicals, according to initial findings from the joint investigation team.
The Director of the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS), G. Warsuwah Barvoul, informed journalist that the incident remains under “active probe.”
“Our team is still investigating to gather more information on what transpired inside the factory, we are very concerned about the well-being of our citizens.”
He praised the rapid response of firefighters and partner agencies who, he said, helped prevent the explosion from escalating beyond the facility.
At a Ministry of Information press briefing on Tuesday, December 9, the Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Ansu Dulleh, confirmed that the explosion resulted from “chemical safety lapses” at the facility.
Dulleh noted that residents near the factory had repeatedly complained about concerns related to unsafe industrial practices and the general well-being of school-going children in the area.
“We have informed the Sethi Brothers management to implement all required safety measures.
This is a legal obligation under the laws of Liberia.”
A representative from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) technical team head, Dweh S. Boley, told reporters that the EPA has advised nearby residents to take precautionary measures while assessments continue.
He disclosed how environmental experts are conducting chemical hazard analysis to determine the level of contamination in the surrounding environment.
A joint technical committee comprising the Liberia National Fire Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Disaster Management Agency has been established to carry out a full investigation.
The team is expected to produce a detailed report on the cause of the explosion, the level of environmental impact and recommendations for stricter regulatory enforcement at industrial facilities nationwide.
The incident has intensified public debate over poor enforcement of occupational safety standards, particularly in factories operating within densely populated communities.
Residents in Gardnerville have called on the government to ensure that Sethi Brothers Steel Factory and similar facilities adhere to national safety regulations to prevent future disasters.