ELDORET, Kenya — Property worth millions of shillings has been destroyed after a fire broke out in a dormitory at Hill School in Eldoret early Friday morning.
The fire started at about 5 am, but no injuries were reported as students were attending morning preps in classrooms when the blaze broke out.
A rapid response by the Uasin Gishu County fire team, Kenya Red Cross and other emergency responders helped contain the fire.
340 Form Three, Four Students Affected
The affected dormitory housed approximately 340 Form Three and Form Four students.
Although all the students escaped unharmed, they lost most of their personal and school belongings in the fire.
The full value of the destroyed property had not been established by the time of the initial assessment.
The Kenya Red Cross has launched a rapid needs assessment to determine the extent of the damage and identify the immediate needs of the affected learners.
Police Launch Investigation
A team of senior security officers led by Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Wilberforce Sicharani visited the school following the incident.
Police have begun investigations to establish what caused the fire.
The cause of the blaze remains unknown, and no official explanation has been given on whether the incident was accidental or deliberate.
Hill School has both primary and secondary sections.
Red Cross Offers Psychosocial Support
The emergency response is being coordinated by the Kenya Red Cross, police, county fire brigade and members of the surrounding community.
Kenya Red Cross Head of Region Oscar Okumu, together with the Uasin Gishu County Coordinator, is leading the organisation’s response.
The Red Cross is providing psychosocial support to students affected by the incident while assessing their immediate welfare needs.
The assessment will also guide decisions on the assistance required by the affected learners and the school.
Extent of Damage Being Assessed
Officials are continuing to assess the dormitory and the extent of the destruction.
The school administration and emergency teams are expected to determine the next steps for accommodating the affected students as investigations continue.
There were no reported casualties from the fire.
Further details are expected as police and emergency responders complete their assessment of the incident.
