More than 60 students of Kisumu Boys High school escaped death narrowly after their dormitory was razed down by a raging fire Tuesday morning.
The students, who were in class when the incident occurred at around 10.30 am lost property of unkwown value amid speculation that it could be an arson attack.
When KNA arrived at the school Tuesday, students’ damaged belongings including beddings, books, beds and other personal effects were scattered all over the compound as the curious learners pondered on the unfortunate incident.
At the same time, teachers and other workers were at a loss not knowing what to do, but with the help of firefighters and the general public who responded to the distress call in time, they were able to salvage some properties from nearby classrooms and dormitories.
Inside sources confided to KNA that during break time, four students who went to get their cutleries may have started the fire before leaving in a hurry to avoid suspicion.
By the time of going to the press, the suspected students had reportedly been arrested to have them record their statements at Kisumu Central police station, but this is yet to be corroborated by the police.
Kisumu County Deputy Police Commander, Peter Kattam said investigating officers were already on the ground recording statements from various sources.
Kattam appealed for calm, even as students and parents thronged the various gates leading into the school as they sought to know the fate of their children.
The County Director of Education, Isaac Atebe promised to issue a more comprehensive report after his officers who imediately hit the ground running, availed their preliminary findings over the inferno.
Atebe said it was still too early for speculations over the incident, pointing out that no student was injured during the morning incident.
Asked whether some students had been arrested in relation to the fire incident, the Director also called for calm to avoid unnecessary claims which could jeopardize police investigations.
The mabati structure which got razed down hosted some 60 students who lost their books, beds and other personal effects in the inferno.
by Joseph Ouma
