Grief has engulfed the Lawrenceville Community in Fish Town, River Gee County, following the death of Theophilus S. Teh, a prospective graduate of Government Tweh Jaikaily High School, while three other family members remain hospitalized.
According to the school’s administration, Teh had passed the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and paid his graduation fees. He was awaiting graduation when the tragedy occurred.
The three other affected family members have been identified as Irene Teh, the deceased’s sister; Hawa Teh, reportedly Irene’s daughter; and a male grandchild whose identity has not been disclosed.
The incident reportedly occurred early Thursday morning, October 15, while the family members were asleep at their residence in Lawrenceville.
Preliminary findings from an investigation involving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in River Gee County, the Liberia National Police (LNP), and health practitioners suggest that the incident may be linked to a generator reportedly operating inside the family’s three-bedroom house.
The generator was allegedly positioned along a corridor inside the residence.
The incident followed a reported interruption in LibEnergy’s electricity supply to Fish Town at approximately 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, prompting some residents to rely on privately owned generators.
Investigators are examining whether fumes from the generator contributed to the incident. However, the exact cause has not been conclusively established, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Teh’s death has plunged his family, school community, and residents of Fish Town into mourning. Having passed his WASSCE and completed the required graduation-fee payment, the young man was preparing to celebrate a significant educational milestone.
Instead, his anticipated graduation has been overshadowed by tragedy.
Meanwhile, the three surviving family members are reportedly receiving treatment at the Fish Town Referral Hospital as authorities continue their investigation. Police have called for calm while efforts are made to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The tragedy also raises concerns about the dangers of operating generators in enclosed spaces. Generator exhaust can contain carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that is invisible and odorless and can cause sudden illness, unconsciousness, or death.
Safety authorities advise that generators should always be operated outdoors, far away from doors, windows, and other openings. They should never be operated inside homes, corridors, or other enclosed spaces.
