About 20 students were injured during a fire outbreak at Katoloni Secondary School in Machakos County on Saturday September 14, 2024. 

According to Machakos County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia, the injuries were primarily due to a stampede as students scampered for safety after the fire outbreak.

The fire, which destroyed two dormitories at the school, was contained at around 10:50 pm on Saturday.

All the students were all in classrooms for evening preps when the fire started.

Those who were injured were rushed to Machakos Level 5 Hospital. They were treated for minor injuries sustained during the rush, while others had fainted after inhaling smoke.

“The 20 students were rushed to Machakos Level 5 hospital where they were all treated and discharged. 

“They sustained minor injuries due to stampede while others fainted after inhaling smoke,” Lobolia said.

The fire led to loss of personal belongings, including clothes, books and beddings .The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and investigations are still ongoing. 

Lobolia assured that all students had been accounted for and normalcy had been restored at the school.

During the incident, members of the public attempted to enter the school premises, which led to a security response from the police in order to prevent potential looting and to ensure the safety of the students.

The situation was exacerbated by the presence of suspicious individuals, some of whom were reportedly intoxicated from local clubs.

In response, the police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the surging crowd, which had blocked the school entrance and interfered with emergency services.

Lobolia emphasized that the police acted to protect the institution and maintain order during the chaotic situation.

Written by Rose Mutuku