Kenya School Fire: 17 Dead, 13 Injured

17 pupils died and 13 others were severely injured in a fire that broke out in a Kenyan school dormitory, according to police on Friday.

Police said there are concerns that the number of fatalities could increase.

According to police spokesman Resila Onyango, an investigation is underway to determine what caused the fire that occurred on Thursday night at Hillside Endarasha Primary in Nyeri county. Up to 14-year-old students are served by the institution.

In the dormitory that caught fire, more than 150 boys were living, according to reports from the education ministry and Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murugu. The fire spread quickly because wood planks are used in the construction of the majority of structures.

The 824-student school is situated 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Nairobi, the nation’s capital, in the central highlands, an area known for its prevalence of wooden buildings.

At the school, distraught parents who had been unable to locate their children among the survivors waited anxiously.

“Devastating,” according to President William Ruto, was the news.

“I give the appropriate authorities orders to look into this horrifying tragedy in great detail. He posted on the social media site X, saying, “Those who are accountable will be held accountable.”