Lightning Burns School as Children Pray

A school dormitory was on Wednesday evening burnt down after being struck by lightning, while pupils had congregated for prayers at a Chapel in Borabu, Nyamira County.

Stranded pupils of Eronge SDA Boarding Primary School escaped the ghastly occurrence which is said to have damaged property worth Sh15 Million. 

The school Headmaster, Evans Osinde, said none of the pupils were injured, but 160 students lost their belongings.

"We thank God that at the time of the incident, our pupils had congregated in the school chapel for evening prayers. None of them was in the dormitories that were destroyed," he said.

"I heard a deafening thunder and upon looking outside I saw smoke and fire billowing from one of the dormitories." he added.

The fire was reportedly put out by students, teachers, police and Esise Ward Representative Teresa Nyaanga using fire extinguishers present at the institutions compound.

The headmaster however, blamed the county's department of Public Works for failing to inspect the lightning arresters in the school which were installed 25 years ago.

"It is the duty of the department to regularly check that lightning arresters installed in learning institutions are working after every two years to avert such disasters," he said.

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