Crr — A serious fire outbreak over the weekend left 109 people homeless at Sinchu Jatali village, in Niani District, CRR north.

The cause of the fire is yet to be established, but the regional disaster management committee in collaboration with the district committee has embarked on an assessment exercise to ascertain the extent of the damage it caused.

Sources told the Daily Observer that the fire spread quickly due to heavy winds, and that it destroyed foodstuff and other household materials of the affected families.

Briefing the committee members, Samba Njie, the alkalo of the village, said they noticed the flames when they were coming from the mosque after early morning prayers.

He said six compounds were seriously affected, with six houses completely destroyed, by the fire.

He then appealed for immediate assistance.

Bubacarr Fofana, the regional disaster management coordinator, on behalf of the committee, sympathised with the victims. He urged the people to be mindful of fire outbreaks especially during the dry season.

Alhaji Pierre Bah, the chief of Niani, advised people in the community to make fire belts around their village and clean their backyards.

He also commended the regional disaster management committee for embarking on a damage assessment exercise.