NAIROBI, Kenya— At least 10 students have been confirmed dead following a devastating overnight fire that tore through a dormitory at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, triggering panic among students, parents and rescue teams.
The fire reportedly broke out at about 1am while learners were asleep, rapidly spreading through the dormitory before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi confirmed the deaths on Thursday morning, saying rescue and recovery operations were still ongoing as authorities continued searching through the burnt structure.
Several students were also injured in the incident and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, according to police.
Panic and confusion as rescue efforts continue
Firefighters, police officers and rescue personnel were deployed to the school overnight as efforts intensified to contain the blaze and evacuate students from the affected dormitory.
The Kenya Red Cross said the incident was formally reported at around 3.30am.
By Thursday morning, the full number of injuries had not yet been confirmed, with school officials and authorities still conducting a headcount to account for all learners.
Scenes of anguish unfolded outside the school as worried parents streamed into the compound seeking information about their children.
The school management announced that only parents would be allowed into the institution as authorities coordinated emergency operations and verified the status of students.
Fears remained high that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continued combing through the damaged dormitory.
Investigations begin into cause of deadly blaze
Police said investigations had already begun to establish the cause of the fire, though officials had not yet indicated what may have triggered the blaze.
The tragedy once again raises concerns about dormitory safety standards, emergency preparedness and fire response systems in Kenyan boarding schools.
School fires have previously led to deadly incidents in the country, prompting repeated calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations, improved infrastructure and regular emergency drills in learning institutions.
Authorities are expected to release more details once all students are accounted for and preliminary investigations are completed.
For now, families across Nakuru and beyond remain anxiously waiting for updates as the country mourns yet another school tragedy.
