By Lerte Tellah – Nairobi
At least 16 pupils have been confirmed dead following a devastating fire that broke out at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni, Nyeri, last night. The National Police Service Spokesperson, Resila Onyango, has confirmed the tragic incident.
“We have 16 pupils dead and 14 injured. We are investigating the cause and will take the necessary action,” Onyango stated.
The pupils were reported to have been burned beyond recognition in the fire that engulfed one of the dormitories housing them. Of the 16 fatalities, 15 were confirmed dead at the scene, while one succumbed to injuries while being rushed to the hospital. The number of casualties may rise as the scene is fully processed, and more bodies may be discovered.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with Deputy Director of DCI John Onyango, Senior Assistant Inspector General, and the Director of the Homicide Unit, along with the National Police Service (NPS) Disaster Management Unit, already on their way to the school to lead the investigation.
The scene has been preserved pending further investigation by the homicide team, and all response teams have been deployed to assist in managing the situation. Meanwhile, parents and guardians of the affected pupils have been alerted.
The tragedy has shocked the local community, with many expressing grief and calling for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire and prevent such incidents in the future.
