Tragic Dormitory Fire in Kenya Claims Lives

A fire in a Kenyan school dormitory killed 17 students and seriously injured 13 others. The incident occurred at Hillside Endarasha Primary in Nyeri county. Wooden structures helped the fire spread quickly. Authorities are investigating the cause, with safety concerns being raised over frequent school fires in the country.

A tragic fire in a school dormitory in Kenya has claimed the lives of 17 students and seriously burned 13 others, police reported on Friday.

Authorities fear that the death toll may rise. The fire broke out Thursday night at Hillside Endarasha Primary in Nyeri county and is currently under investigation, according to police spokesperson Resila Onyango. The school accommodates children up to the age of 14.

Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murugu and the education ministry indicated that the dormitory affected by the blaze housed more than 150 boys. Rapid fire spread was attributed to the wooden plank construction of the buildings. The school, which enrolls 824 students, is situated in Kenya's central highlands, 200 kilometers north of Nairobi.

Anxious parents, unable to locate their children among the survivors, waited at the school in distress. President William Ruto addressed the catastrophic event as 'devastating,' calling for a thorough investigation and accountability of those responsible. His deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, emphasized the importance of adhering to safety guidelines set by the education ministry for boarding schools.

Incidents of school fires are frequent in Kenyan boarding schools, often linked to arson, drug abuse, and overcrowding, a recent education ministry report stated. Some fires have been ignited by students protesting workload or living conditions. In a 2017 incident, 10 high school students perished in a fire started by a student in Nairobi. The deadliest school fire occurred in 2001, resulting in 67 student fatalities in Machakos county.

(With inputs from agencies.)