17 pupils killed by fire at Hillside Academy, Nyeri
By Antynet Ford
Seventeen students have been confirmed dead and fourteen injured after a fire tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni, Nyeri, following a fire tragedy last night.
As of 7.30 am, 17 deaths had been confirmed.
National Police Service Spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed the incident.
She said 14 other students’ sustained injuries.
“We have 17 pupils dead and 14 injured. We are investigating the cause and will take necessary action.” she said.
The pupils are said to have been burnt beyond recognition.
One of the dormitories at Hillside Academy housing the students was razed down killing the 17.
16 of Hillside Academy are said to have been confirmed dead at the scene while one died while being rushed to the hospital.
There are fears that more bodies are likely to be recovered once the scene is fully processed.
Deputy Director DCI John Onyango, Senior Assistant IG, and Director Homicide Unit and NPS Disaster Management Unit are leading investigations to establish the cause of the fire.
Director DCI Mohamed Amin said he had dispatched Onyango and a team from the homicide and forensic department to join the probe team.
The team is supposed to comb through the debris at the scene as part of efforts to establish the cause of the fire.
The team cordoned off the affected dormitory and invited officials from the Kenya Power to join them in efforts to establish the saga.
Other teams from Nyeri also supplemented the team in the probe.
Officials said the affected pupils were in grade four to six and that some of them were burnt beyond recognition.
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