A tragic incident unfolded at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Kenya, where a fire broke out in a dormitory leading to the death of 17 students and leaving 13 others with severe burns, as reported by the police on Friday. Authorities expressed concerns that the death toll might still increase as investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
The school, which caters to children up to 14 years old, is situated in Nyeri county and the dormitory that caught fire accommodated over 150 boys aged between 10 and 14. The quick spread of the fire was facilitated by the predominantly wooden structures of the buildings on the school premises. Due to its location in the central highlands, where wooden constructions are prevalent, the fire escalated rapidly.
Rescue efforts were somewhat hindered by the muddy roads caused by the ongoing rains in the area, as stated by Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murugu. Parents anxiously awaited news about their children, with many overwhelmed by grief at the scene of the tragic incident.
President William Ruto described the news as devastating and called for a thorough investigation into the matter to hold those accountable. He emphasized on following safety protocols outlined by the education ministry for boarding schools, a sentiment echoed by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.
School fires are unfortunately not uncommon in Kenyan boarding schools, with causes ranging from arson related to drug use and overcrowding, as highlighted in a recent report by the education ministry. Incidents have been recorded where students initiated fires in protest against workload or living conditions, leading to fatalities in some cases. The deadliest school fire prior to this incident occurred in 2001, claiming the lives of 67 students in Machakos county.
Education ministry guidelines stress the importance of spacious dormitories with multiple exits, unobstructed windows, and readily accessible firefighting equipment to ensure the safety of students in cases of emergencies.
