Schools’ dormitory razed down by fire

By LEONARD KORIR

Trans Mara East,Kenya:Property of unknown value went up in flames when fire gutted a dormitory at Kapweria Secondary School in Trans Mara East District.

The inferno left one student injured after sustaining minor burns and was rushed to Abossi Health Centre where he is receiving treatment.

There was confusion and a near stampede as students who were asleep rushed out of the dormitory to escape the fire. The incident displaced more than 150 students who were forced to spend the night in the cold.

The school’s Deputy Principal Kiplangat Koech said the incident comes barely a week after a Form Four student was suspended on disciplinary grounds.

The Form Four student has since been arrested and is helping police in carrying out investigations.

He said they suspect the incident was an act of arson since the school was yet to be connected to electricity.

“We rule out electricity as the cause of this fire since the school is not connected to the grid. The suspended student has been arrested and is assisting the police with investigation,” said Mr Koech.

He said they have been forced to convert one classroom into a temporary dormitory to allow students proceed with learning.

Ololmasani Kenya National Union of Teachers branch Executive Committee official Victor Rotich said students should be guided and counselled as a way of addressing frequent fire incidents in schools.