Students Evacuated as Fire Engulfs School Days After Term 3 Begins

A fire broke out at Kirwara Boys High School in Gatanga, Murang’a County, on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 26, 2026, forcing students to evacuate as emergency responders moved in to contain the blaze, just days after schools reopened for the third term.

Footage from the scene showed flames spreading through sections of the school compound, while thick smoke rose above the affected buildings as emergency teams rushed to respond.

A school bus parked inside the compound also caught fire. However, authorities had not established whether the vehicle triggered the incident or caught fire after the blaze spread.

Fire Engulfs Buildings

Meanwhile, flames engulfed several buildings within the compound. As a result, students moved away from the affected areas while responders worked to contain the blaze.

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A Murang’a County fire engine arrived at the school to support the response. At the same time, school officials coordinated the evacuation and worked with emergency personnel at the scene.

Fortunately, no casualties had been reported by the time of reporting. However, authorities had yet to determine the cause of the fire or establish the full extent of the damage.

Recent School Fires Raise Safety Concerns

The latest incident comes amid growing concern over fires in Kenyan learning institutions, with several schools reporting similar incidents in recent months.

For instance, a fire broke out at a boys’ dormitory at St Michael Secondary School Kyenire in Mbeere North, Embu County, on Tuesday, August 25, just a day before the Murang’a incident.

Similarly, a fire at Jomo Kenyatta Boys’ High School in Nakuru last month damaged the administration block and several classrooms.

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Moreover, the Kenya Red Cross reported in June that it had responded to 37 school fire incidents across the country since January 2026.

The deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in May further intensified concerns about safety in boarding schools as the blaze killed 16 students and injured 79 others.

Consequently, the latest incident at Kirwara Boys High School could renew calls for schools to strengthen fire prevention measures, emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures.

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A photo showing aftermath of a fire that engulfed a bus and building at Kirwara Boys High School in Murang’a County, August 26, 2026. PHOTO/Screengrab