Kenya Red Cross offers support amidst fire tragedy at Hillside Academy

The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has established a tracing desk at Hillside Endarasha Academy to assist in locating missing pupils.

KRCS Mt Kenya head, Esther Chege, added that they will be providing psychosocial support to those affected by the tragedy including pupils, teachers, the community and the affected families.

“We will also offer continuous counselling services starting today. The services will be offered to the learners, parents and the community,’’ she stated.

The humanitarian organisation also provided medical assistance to the injured pupils, including burn treatment supplies, and transported them to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital.

“Following the tragic fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri, the Kenya Red Cross, alongside a multi-agency response team, has been on the ground responding. Eleven children have been taken to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital,” the Kenya Red Cross stated.

According to government spokesman Isaac Mwaura, the boys were in grade four to eight and were between the ages of nine and thirteen.

Police spokeswoman Resila Onyango stated that the cause of the fire on Thursday night was under investigation and that appropriate measures would be taken.

The government stated that the dormitory was overcrowded and did not comply with safety regulations.

The education ministry’s guidelines stipulate that dormitories should be spacious, have two doors on each side and an emergency door in the center, and have ungrilled windows to allow for escape in case of fire.

Furthermore, fully serviced fire extinguishers and fire alarms should be readily available in easily accessible areas.