By Mwenda Njeru
A fire that broke out at Kajiampau Secondary School in Chuka/Igambang’ombe constituency on Sunday evening claimed the life of one person, while all 45 students affected by the blaze managed to escape unharmed.
According to Igambang’ombe Member of the Tharaka Nithi County Assembly, Mr. Njeru Ingara, the deceased was a local villager who had rushed to the school to assist in extinguishing the fire.
The fire, which erupted around 9 p.m., spread rapidly through the dormitory, destroying nearly all of its contents. While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, authorities are working with security agencies to determine what sparked the devastating blaze.
Tharaka Nithi County Government Fire and Rescue Department Manager, Mr. Alex Mugambi, confirmed that all the students in the school are accounted for.
“The dormitory accommodated 45 students, and all of them are safe,” Mugambi said.
Mr Ingara emphasized the urgent need for enhanced emergency response capabilities in the region, calling for the establishment of a fire station at the county’s headquarters in Kathwana.
Mr. David Mugendi, the Igambang’ombe Ward Administrator, reported that upon receiving the distress call at around 9 p.m., he immediately alerted fire officers, who rushed to the school.He commended the swift efforts of both the fire officers and local residents, who joined forces to battle the flames.
“By the time our team arrived, the fire had already engulfed the entire dormitory, but the collaboration between the community and our fire services helped prevent further casualties,” Mugendi said.
However, the damage to the building was extensive, with very little of the dormitory’s contents salvageable.
Mr. Njeru Ingara, who visited the site on Monday morning, said that the scene was heartbreaking, with the dormitory reduced to rubble.
“Very little was saved from the dormitory. It is a huge loss for the students and the school,” Ingara lamented.
In the aftermath of the fire, Mr. Ingara has called for support from well-wishers, including elected leaders, to help rebuild the dormitory and provide assistance to the affected students.
“We need to come together as a community to support these students and ensure they continue with their education. It’s also crucial that we construct another dormitory to prevent such incidents from disrupting their learning,” he urged.
Local security agencies are continuing their investigation into the fire’s origin, and the community remains in shock over the loss of life and property.
The school, located in the heart of Chuka/Igambang’ombe constituency, is a key institution for the region’s students, and the fire has raised concerns about safety measures in school dormitories across the area.
