A dormitory at Bishop Ndingi High School in Mwala subcounty, Machakos County, was completely destroyed in a dawn fire on Tuesday, displacing 150 students who were accommodated in the structure. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, as the fire occurred while students were in class for their early morning studies.
According to Mwala Deputy County Commissioner David Tegutwa, the fire broke out in the Ngotho dormitory, one of the main student housing facilities in the school, which is a mixed day and boarding public institution near Mwala Town.
“Students were in morning preps when they noted that there was fire consuming one of their dormitories, named Ngotho, early this morning. There were no casualties in the incident since all the 150 students usually accommodated in the dormitory were in their respective classrooms,” Tegutwa said in a phone interview.
The inferno, whose cause remains unknown, led to the complete destruction of the dormitory and students’ belongings including bedding, clothes, stationery, food items, and utensils. No property was salvaged due to the rapid spread of the fire.
Tegutwa confirmed that a fire brigade from the Machakos County Government responded to the scene and managed to contain the blaze before it could spread to other school structures. The affected dormitory was located in an isolated area of the compound, helping to prevent further damage.
Despite the traumatic incident, classes continued with students remaining in school under close supervision. However, Tegutwa noted that the learners were visibly anxious as they awaited further guidance from the school’s Board of Management, education officers, and local security officials.
“We are in continued engagement with school heads and student councils across the subcounty to enhance school safety and performance, while also pre-empting possible unrest,” Tegutwa added.
The school, which has a student population of approximately 287, is expected to receive support from stakeholders as recovery efforts begin. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
