A devastating fire tragedy struck Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, after a dormitory caught fire in the early hours of Thursday morning, leaving at least 10 students feared dead.

The incident triggered panic and emotional scenes outside the school as parents, teachers, and residents gathered anxiously awaiting information about the fate of the students.

According to reports, the fire is believed to have started at around 1am before spreading through the dormitory. Emergency responders were alerted shortly afterward, with the Kenya Red Cross confirming that the incident was officially reported at approximately 3:30am.

In a statement, the humanitarian agency said rescue and emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the school to assist in containing the fire and supporting affected students.

“Following a fire incident reported at around 3:30am at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, Kenya Red Cross responded to support the ongoing emergency response,” the organisation stated.

The Kenya Red Cross further confirmed that psychosocial support teams had already arrived at the institution to assist traumatised students, teachers, and parents as uncertainty continued to surround the scale of the tragedy.

“Our first responders, E-Plus ambulance crew and our psychosocial support personnel are currently on the ground supporting affected students alongside other responders and relevant authorities,” the organisation added.

Police officers alongside detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations were deployed to the school shortly after the incident, with authorities launching investigations and conducting a head count to establish the exact number of students who were in the dormitory at the time of the fire.

Rift Valley Regional Commander Masoud Munyi confirmed that access to the school had been restricted to parents only as rescue operations and investigations continued.

“We have deployed our officers and DCI detectives to the school, and a head count is currently underway to establish exactly how many students were present at the time of the fire. For now, only parents will be allowed access into the school,” Munyi stated.

Outside the school gates, emotional scenes unfolded as worried parents streamed into the institution seeking information about their children. Some parents expressed frustration and fear, saying they were still unable to confirm the condition or whereabouts of their daughters hours after the fire.

The injured students were reportedly rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment and medical assessment.

The tragic incident adds to the growing concern over rising cases of school fires in Kenya, incidents that have in recent years disrupted learning and, in some cases, resulted in deaths and destruction of property. Authorities are expected to launch a full investigation to determine the cause of the deadly blaze.