What was the cause of Hillside Endarasha Academy fire?
As questions continue to linger over the cause of the fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, suspicion that the deadly fire, which led to the death of 21 pupils, could have been a result of an electrical fault.
In an interview with one of the parents whose son survived the tragedy and who requested anonymity, it all started near the main entrance where pupils from Grades 5 to 8 are accommodated.
The parent spoke about how sparks from a bulb near the main door of the dormitory could have caused the fire.
"Alituambia kulikuwa na kijana alikuwa analala karibu na mlango na bulb yake ililipuka na kutupa moto kwa mattress, alikimbia kuita matron na hapo ndio moto ilishika,” said the parent.
Reports indicate that the matron and a security guard who rushed to the scene alerted teachers who live within the school compound, who helped to evacuate the pupils as the fire consumed the dormitory.
According to her, the fire started at the first bed next to the main entrance, occupied by a Grade 5 pupil who survived.
In the said area, there are 24 double-decker beds, six on the left side and six on the right side. Forty-eight pupils were sleeping in the area when the fire broke out.
Grade 8 pupils are at the furthest end of the dorm, and to access it, one goes through a small opening from the area where there are 24 double-decker beds.
The dormitory has three doors: the main door, another door near the main entrance, and the door behind the section where Grade 8 learners sleep.
"Tunaweza taka wasiweke wanafunzi wengi pamoja, bweni ziwe kadhaa,” said the parent.
Reports indicate that the lights are always on throughout the night. But what is also believed to have contributed to the fire spreading fast is the fact that the beds, some made of wood, were closer to each other.
The dormitory also had cardboard separating the sleeping areas.
"Wanafunzi wako na uoga sana na pia sisi tuko na uoga,” added the parent.
The revelations came even as the government said it had not conclusively identified the cause of the deadly fire.
The families of the victims remain hopeful that the probe being conducted by DCI detectives will unravel more.
