Bukhalalire High School in Busia County has been closed indefinitely following a devastating dormitory fire that left at least six students with serious injuries.

Speaking to the press on Monday, May 12, Butula Sub-County Director of Education, John Kemei, said the school will closure to allow for thorough investigations into the incident. He explained that the decision to send students home was reached after a consultative meeting with the school’s Board of Management (BoM).

“We have assessed the situation and found that it is no longer tenable for you to remain in school. We want to give you a break so that you can go home and relax a bit,” Kemei said.

While announcing the closure, he also applauded members of the local community who quickly responded to the fire in the early hours of the morning, helping contain the blaze and preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings.

“We want to thank those who came to assist at around 1 a.m., including a former Member of County Assembly who played a significant role in helping several students,” Kemei added.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out on Sunday night, May 11, at around 11 p.m. in one of the dormitories which houses about 200 students, while students were asleep. T

At least six students suffered severe burns. Four of them, reported to be in critical condition, were initially taken to Khunyangu District Hospital before being transferred to Busia County Referral Hospital for further treatment.

This latest incident comes barely three days after a similar fire broke out at Igikiro Boys High School in Makuyu, Murang’a County. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the Makuyu incident.

However, preliminary investigations indicated that at least three students were involved in setting the fire, and one suspect has already been arrested by local authorities.