17 pupils have been reported dead while several others are nursing serious injuries after a fire broke out at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County.
According to reports, the 17 pupils were burnt beyond recognition during the night incident when a fire engulfed a dormitory at the institution.
The injured pupils were rushed to to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital for specialized medical treatment.
National Police Service Spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed the incident, however, the cause of the fire was yet to be established by the time of publishing this article.
“We are investigating the cause and will take the necessary action,” Resila told journalists
Nyeri County Police Commander Benjamin Rotich also confirmed the fatalities stating the fire broke out around midnight when most of the students were asleep.
Reports further indicate that first responders arrived at the scene but were unable to contain the raging inferno which had spread quickly making it hard to contain.
Reports indicate that the students were at the dormitory when the incident occurred.
After the fire broke out, 15 of the pupils were confirmed dead at the scene while one died while being rushed to hospital.
The school's management was also reported to have informed parents about the situation.
The scene is currently cordoned off from the public by the police.
As of Friday morning, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Deputy Director John Onyango and Director of Homicide Martin Nyoguto were dispatched to the school to initiate investigations into what transpired.
It is expected they will immediately embark on investigating the cause of the fire and whether there was possible negligence that led to the pupil's deaths.
The Kenya Red Cross is on-site to provide psychosocial support services to the pupils, teachers, and affected families and has set up a tracing desk at the school.
The aid organization has dispatched a mental health and psychological support team from Nairobi to relieve the unit from Nyeri.
