A major blaze consumed the distinctive Nitijela structure, which houses the parliament of the Marshall Islands, in the early hours Tuesday morning. The fire started around 12:30am. Local firefighters moved quickly to the scene and were able to keep the fire contained for many hours. Witnesses on the scene said that the fire had “gutted” the building. Only charred ashes now litter the ground, a sobering sight to the horror wreaked upon a building that represented the nation’s liberty and self-governance.
Chewy Lin, the local photographer who had joined us on our tour, had photographed the Nitijela just the day before. He got a text from a fellow firefighter warning him of the blaze and immediately sped to the scene. Upon arrival, he experienced the destruction firsthand.
“The fire just went to the roof,” – Chewy Lin
Emergency Response and Challenges
Fire crews got a distress call just before midnight and were on scene just after 1 a.m. Their fight against the raging inferno was underscored by a lack of personnel and resources. As eyewitness Jack Niedenthal related, local firefighters were hampered by low water pressure. This problem greatly limited their capacity to properly extinguish dangerous fire conditions from upper level floors.
“They have no option. [They can just] pretty much aim the water high but, because [of] a lack of water pressure, they just couldn’t aim that high,” – Chewy Lin
The building was consumed by the intense fire as lawmakers and civil service members were present at a very active parliamentary session. This put them in a very tough spot. Giff Johnson, editor of the Marshall Islands Journal, noted that the nation’s leaders often have to physically move to pass the national budget. This action is in direct response to the recent devastation they’ve experienced.
A Loss for the Nation
The Nitijela building loomed large, representing the democratic underpinnings of the Marshall Islands. It was not just a physical structure, it became a powerful symbol of the nation’s independence. Chewy Lin said that the community mourned the loss profoundly, and that it was especially significant to the community.
“It’s devastating, absolutely devastating for the government here,” – Chewy Lin
Niedenthal was in accord with these estimates, characterizing the building’s state following the fire as a complete loss.
“It’s totalled … it still has a roof on it, but it’s been gutted.” – Jack Niedenthal
As officials began to get a clearer sense of the damage and plan for temporary replacement, a profound sense of grief settles over what has been irrevocably lost. The Nitijela’s legacy as a cornerstone of governance will now face significant challenges as the community rallies to recover from this unprecedented event.
