At least 17 pupils have died after a dormitory at a boarding school in Central Kenya caught fire on Thursday night, September 5, police said.
More rescuers were on their way to the Hillside Endarasha academy in Nyeri, the spokesperson, Resila Onyango, said in a broadcast on Kenya’s Hot 96 FM radio, and authorities would provide details later.
“We have lost 17 pupils in the fire incident while 14 are injured,” Onyango told Reuters by telephone. “Our team is at the scene at the moment.”
The fire had burned the students beyond recognition, Citizen Television said earlier.
President William Ruto called the fire “horrific” and “devastating”, and has ordered an investigation.
“Kenyan President William Ruto has directed authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the devastating fire incident at a school, vowing to hold those responsible accountable. A team of investigators has been dispatched to the scene, according to police reports.
The fire broke out in the dormitory around midnight, affecting over 150 students, Police Chief Pius Murugu stated. The rapid spread of the blaze was attributed to the predominantly timber construction of the school buildings, as reported by a Citizen TV journalist.
President Ruto’s prompt response and call for accountability underscore the severity of the incident and the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of students.”
