At least 16 students have been confirmed dead following a devastating overnight fire that razed a dormitory at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru.
The fire reportedly broke out late at about 1 am while students were asleep, rapidly spreading through the building and causing panic within the school compound.
Reports indicate that 74 students were also injured in the incident and were hospitalised at Gilgil Sub-County Hospital and St Mark’s Hospital with varying degrees of injuries.
The affected dormitory has been identified as the Meline Waithera Block, which housed 220 grade 10, form 3, and form 4 students.
Kenya Red Cross, in a statement on Thursday, May 28, confirmed the incident adding that its emergency response teams were on ground to assist in the evacuation of the learners.
“Following a fire incident reported at around 3:30am at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, Kenya Red Cross responded to support the ongoing emergency response,” stated Kenya Red Cross.
“Our first responders, E-Plus ambulance crew and our psychosocial support personnel are currently on the ground supporting affected students alongside other responders and relevant authorities,” it added.
Rift Valley Regional Commander, Masoud Munyi said investigations were underway to establish the cause of the deadly fire.
The school is currently conducting a headcount to ascertain the number of students present following the inferno.
Munyi said that only parents would be allowed to gain access to the school as they await reports from doctors attending to the students and investigators currently on site.
“We have not yet been able to explain exactly what happened because we are still waiting for doctors, as well as the nurses and caregivers attending to our children.”
“We also want the parents to be present so that we can talk to them, inform them about the steps we are taking, and explain the nature of the problem,” he said.
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