By Laymah Kollie
The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia has issued a detailed update on the Sethi Brothers warehouse fire while announcing firm sanctions against Bea Mountain Mining Corporation over a major water pollution incident in Grand Cape Mount County.
Speaking Tuesday, EPA Executive Director Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health and the environment through strict enforcement measures.
Addressing the December 2025 fire at the Sethi Brothers Duraplast Paint Warehouse in the Iron Factory community, Dr. Yarkpawolo said the company has made “significant progress” in complying with EPA-mandated remedial actions.
According to the EPA, Sethi Brothers has relocated its chemical storage facilities to the Monrovia Industrial Complex, cleared contaminated debris using an accredited disposal firm, and carried out drainage cleaning in affected areas.
The company has also provided zinc roofing sheets and PVC pipes to support community rehabilitation.However, the agency noted that medical treatment for residents exposed to toxic fumes remains unresolved.
Dr. Yarkpawolo stressed that the EPA will continue to push for timely action on this critical issue.Turning to the Marvoe Creek pollution incident, the EPA confirmed that high levels of cypermethrin, a toxic pesticide, caused the mass death of fish and other aquatic life.
Although the chemical was not listed among BMMC’s declared substances, the contamination occurred within the company’s concession area.
The EPA emphasized that BMMC bears responsibility for securing its operational environment and preventing unauthorized contamination.
Investigators also reported evidence suggesting attempts to conceal the scale of the damage, including the burial of dead aquatic species along sections of the creek.
Dr. Yarkpawolo described the environmental impact as severe, noting that the incident significantly disrupted biodiversity and the ecological balance of Marvoe Creek.In response, the EPA has ordered BMMC to fund and implement a comprehensive restoration program.
This includes hiring independent experts, conducting monthly water quality testing, and securing the affected area.
The company has been given 21 business days to submit a remediation plan or face further penalties.Meanwhile, the EPA has advised communities along the creek to avoid consuming fish until further notice, despite recent tests indicating that chemical levels have returned to acceptable limits.
The agency stressed that its actions are not intended to discourage investment but to ensure accountability.“Responsible investment is welcome in Liberia, but no company is above environmental accountability,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said.
