Panic gripped St. John’s Orogare Mixed Secondary School in Kisii after a fire broke out in one of the institution’s facilities, destroying property of unknown value.
The blaze, which occurred during the day, prompted a swift response from school authorities and emergency personnel who rushed to the scene to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading to other buildings.
Witnesses said students and staff were forced to move to safety as thick smoke billowed from the affected structure.
“We heard alarm calls from within the school and shortly afterwards saw smoke rising from one of the buildings. Fortunately, the response was quick and the fire was contained,” said a resident who witnessed the incident.
Investigations underway
School administrators declined to speculate on the cause of the fire, saying investigations were underway.
“No injuries have been reported, but we have suffered property losses whose value is yet to be established. Relevant authorities are investigating the cause of the incident,” a school official said.
Police officers and fire response teams visited the scene and began preliminary investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Parents express concern
Parents expressed concern over the incident, noting that school fires have become increasingly common in learning institutions across the country.
“It is worrying because these incidents seem to be happening more frequently. We hope investigations will establish what happened and measures will be put in place to protect learners,” said a parent.
The incident comes amid growing concern over rising cases of unrest in schools, with several institutions across the country reporting disturbances in recent months.
Education stakeholders have called for urgent intervention to address the trend and safeguard learning environments.
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The Ministry of Education has previously warned students against engaging in acts of indiscipline and destruction of school property.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
By Kimutai Langat
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