- The fire broke out at around 5:30 a.m., destroying the belongings of 107 students in Everest Dormitory.
- Administration assured learning will continue, providing mattresses, blankets, bedsheets, and hygiene items to affected learners.
- Authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the fire,
More than 100 students at Orero Boys Senior School in Homa Bay County were left counting losses after a dawn fire destroyed their belongings in the school’s Everest Dormitory on Tuesday morning.
According to a statement from the school administration, the blaze broke out at around 5:30 a.m., while learners were attending early morning preps. The timing prevented what could have been a major tragedy, as no injuries were reported.
The inferno reduced personal effects belonging to 107 students to ashes, leaving them without mattresses, blankets, bedsheets, and other essentials. The cause of the fire remains unknown, with investigations already underway to establish its origin.
Chief Principal Thomas Otieno assured parents and stakeholders that learning will continue uninterrupted despite the incident.
“Our immediate priority is to ensure the affected students remain in school and continue with their learning. We have already initiated measures to provide new mattresses, bedsheets and blankets, while parents of the affected learners are being informed. Further decisions will be communicated after consultations with the Board of Management and the Ministry of Education,” he said.
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The school has already ordered replacement items and is providing each affected student with a bar of soap to meet immediate hygiene needs. Parents are being contacted through class teachers as the institution coordinates recovery efforts.
Authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the fire, which has reignited concerns over the safety of school dormitories. Education stakeholders are calling for enhanced fire prevention measures, regular safety inspections, and improved emergency preparedness to safeguard learners and school property.
Despite the losses, the administration emphasised resilience, noting that emergency support measures will help restore normalcy as students continue with their academic programmes.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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