There was panic at night after a fire destroyed a girls’ dormitory at Mirithu Girls High School in Limuru, leaving many students counting heavy losses.
According to reports, the fire started in one dormitory before spreading quickly to nearby sections of the school compound. Photos and videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke showed huge flames lighting up the night sky as the blaze consumed several structures within the school.
The fire is believed to have spread fast because the dormitory was mainly built using timber, a material that easily catches fire and burns rapidly. This made it difficult to control the flames once the incident began.
Early reports suggest the fire broke out while students were attending their evening classes. It is suspected that an electrical fault may have triggered the inferno, although investigations are expected to establish the exact cause.
Fortunately, no deaths or serious injuries were reported. A headcount carried out after the fire confirmed that all students, teachers, and staff members on duty were safe and accounted for.
However, the destruction was extensive. Most items inside the dormitory could not be rescued as the flames spread quickly and reduced property to ashes. Students lost personal belongings such as bedding, clothes, books, school uniforms, and other valuables kept in the building.
Teachers, students, and residents from the surrounding community reportedly joined hands to fight the fire and stop it from spreading to other school buildings. Their efforts helped contain the blaze and protect the remaining structures from further damage.
The incident adds to a worrying rise in school fires reported across the country this year, especially in secondary schools where dormitories have frequently been targeted by fires. Many of these cases have caused major destruction and disrupted learning.
In January, a late-night fire at Matungulu Boys Secondary School in Kangundo, Machakos County, left more than 15 students injured. The injured learners were rushed to Kangundo Level 4 Hospital for treatment, raising concerns about the school’s safety and recovery plans.
Two months later, another fire badly damaged a girls’ dormitory at Mumbuni Girls Secondary School in Machakos County.
The blaze reportedly started at around 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of a two-storey building. Quick action by Machakos County firefighters prevented the fire from spreading further.
In September last year, several schools in Kiambu County were hit by suspected arson attacks. Institutions such as Muhoho High School and Uchekeini Boys were affected, forcing temporary closures and causing concern over student unrest in schools.
During the same period, more dormitory fires were reported in Machakos, Makueni, and Kericho counties. Schools including Mumbuni Girls and Cheptenye Boys suffered major losses after buildings were destroyed, leaving many students displaced, though most escaped without injuries.
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