Seven students arrested over Ober Boys dormitory fire

@robertomollo3

Seven students have been arrested following a fire that gutted a dormitory at Ober Boys Secondary School.

Police in Kabondo East subcounty detained the students at Ringa police post.

They were linked to the fire incident, which affected 167 students who were using the dormitory.

The fire which is reported to have started at around 5am on Monday, happened when most students had already gone to class for morning studies.

Some books, bedding and the structure got charred in the fire.

The police led by the subcounty commander Justus Kucha said the students will enable them establish what caused the fire.

“We’re interrogating the seven suspects to know exactly what caused the fire. Most property belonging to the affected students were destroyed,” he said.

Kucha said they suspect it is an arson attack.

“The seven students allegedly know how the fire started because they remained behind, when others were already in the classrooms,” he said.

Police confirmed that no student was injured during the incident.

“A number of students were shocked when they saw their dorm going up in flames. Their attempts to salvage some of their properties proved futile as the fire intensified,” Kucha said.

Homa Bay firefighters however managed to reach the school and put out the fire before it could spread to other buildings.

Homa Bay director of Education Eunice Khaemba said the students will be charged should they be found to have participated in the arson.

The remaining students were urged to stay calm as the management restores order.

“Modalities are being put in place to ensure learning resumes at the school,” Khaemba said.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)