A devastating fire broke out at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in central Kenya, leaving at least 17 children dead and many others injured. The tragic event unfolded late on Thursday night, and the cause of the fire is still unknown. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the incident and its aftermath.
The fire at the boys’ dormitory began around midnight. The dormitory housed 156 students, most of whom were sleeping when the flames engulfed the building. The fire spread quickly because many of the school buildings were constructed with timber.
Local residents, including neighbors, rushed to the school in a desperate attempt to help put out the fire. However, their efforts were slowed by muddy roads due to early morning rains, making it difficult for firefighters to access the scene.
Rescue Efforts
Despite the challenges, firefighters, along with local residents, managed to control the blaze. However, by the time the fire was extinguished, 17 children had tragically lost their lives. Another 14 students suffered severe burns and were rushed to various hospitals for treatment. Many people were trying to rescue the boys trapped in the dormitory. Some children were found hiding under beds, and fortunately, a few were saved before they were burned.
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In response to the fire, President William Ruto called the incident “horrific” and “devastating” and ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the tragedy. The Kenyan Ministry of Education confirmed the number of deaths and injuries and sent officials to the school to offer support to parents and the school community. The Kenya Red Cross and other agencies were also on-site, providing psychological support and aid to families affected by the fire.
Hillside Endarasha Primary School is located in Nyeri County and is one of the top-performing schools in the region. The school has a total of 824 students, with 316 of them being boarders. The school community and local leaders, including the Nyeri County Governor, expressed their grief, calling the fire a huge loss that took the lives of young children with bright futures ahead of them.
School fires are, unfortunately, not uncommon in Kenya. In recent years, several boarding schools have experienced fires, often with deadly consequences. In 2017, a fire at Moi Girls High School in Nairobi claimed the lives of 10 students, and over 67 students died in an arson attack more than 20 years ago in Machakos County. Some reasons behind these incidents include drug abuse, poor student-teacher relations, overcrowding, and poor school conditions.
The cause of the fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School remains unknown. Kenyan police, including forensics experts from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, have cordoned off the school and are conducting a thorough investigation to determine how the fire started. Many witnesses and parents arrived at the school after hearing the news, anxiously waiting for information about their children.
In the meantime, authorities are focusing on offering medical care to the injured students and counseling to the affected families. The tragic loss of young lives has left the entire community mourning, as investigators work to uncover the cause of the fire and prevent future incidents.
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