A morning that began with routine Sunday calm at St. Michael Girls Boarding Comprehensive School was shattered by a loud explosion and the terrifying sight of flames, after a fire broke out and completely razed a student dormitory.
The incident, which occurred around 9 a.m., sent panic through the community, but ended with a stroke of immense fortune: all 60 pupils who reside in the affected dormitory were accounted for and not a single student was injured.
According to residents living near the primary school, the first sign of trouble was a sudden, loud blast heard from across the school compound. Moments later, flames were seen erupting from the building, quickly consuming the structure.
Kerugoya location chief, Justus Mwai, arrived at the scene within moments of the alarm being raised. His swift action led to the immediate engagement of firefighters from the Kirinyaga County government, who worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other buildings on the campus.
Chief Mwai confirmed the scale of the destruction, stating that the dormitory had been completely gutted by the fire. However, he was quick to dispel any fears regarding the students’ safety.
“The fire gutted a dormitory that housed 60 pupils, but none of the learners were inside the building when the blaze broke out,” Mwai stated emphatically. “No student was injured.”
While the immediate cause of the fire is still under investigation, initial suspicions point toward a possible electrical fault that may have led to the explosive start of the blaze. However, authorities are leaving no stone unturned.
“Although it is suspected that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, detectives have launched investigations into the incident to establish the exact cause,” the chief added.
In the wake of the disaster, Chief Mwai moved to reassure anxious parents, confirming that all children were safe and that the school administration was working closely with county authorities to manage the situation and provide for the students’ needs.
“We want to assure parents that all the children are safe. We are calling for calm as we work with the school administration to address this situation,” he said.
The incident at St. Michael Girls Boarding Comprehensive School highlights the ever-present danger of fire in boarding facilities but also serves as a testament to the effectiveness of emergency response and the immense relief when a potential tragedy is averted.
