A horrifying overnight fire tore through a girls’ boarding school dormitory in Kenya, killing 16 students and injuring 74 more as panicked children tried to escape the flames while they were sleeping.

The deadly blaze broke out in the early hours of Thursday, May 28, at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, about 77 miles west of Nairobi.

Authorities believe the fire started around 1 a.m. local time, when many of the students inside the dormitory were asleep.

The dormitory reportedly housed 220 students.

By the time police and emergency crews arrived, the building was already engulfed in flames, according to local reports.

Kenya Red Cross said its teams responded to the school around 3:30 a.m. and assisted emergency services at the scene. Ambulance crews, first responders and psychosocial support workers were sent to help survivors, students and families reeling from the tragedy.

A police officer at the scene confirmed that 16 students had died and 74 others were taken to hospitals for treatment, according to the BBC.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Police commander Masoud Mwinyi called the scene “sad and distressing” as desperate parents gathered outside the school, waiting for word on their daughters.

Authorities said some students were still being searched for after fleeing into nearby areas in terror during the night.

“As we speak, our officers are combing the area because some students fled in shock and fear during the night,” Mwinyi said, according to the BBC.

The chaos was so intense that some girls reportedly jumped from the upper floor of the dormitory in a desperate attempt to survive.

Wambui Nderitu, whose cousin attends the school, described the fear as families rushed to the school after hearing that students had been killed and others injured.

“When we arrived at the school we were told to queue,” Nderitu told the BBC. “Most of us were so worried because we had heard some students had died and others were injured and in the hospital.”

Nderitu said some students suffered injuries while leaping from the dormitory’s upper level.

“Some of those at the top floor had to jump out, that’s why they are injured,” Nderitu said.

Her cousin survived, but was hurt.

“I found her… she is fine… but she has a broken leg,” Nderitu added.

Police have restricted access to the school as the investigation continues, with only parents reportedly being allowed inside the compound.

The Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services said it was grieving the “tragic fire incident” and offered condolences to the families of the students who died.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, guardians, school community, and all those affected by this unfortunate tragedy,” the ministry said. “We also wish a quick recovery to all injured learners currently receiving medical attention.”

Kenya’s President William Ruto also reacted to the heartbreaking disaster.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost their beloved daughters in the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil,” Ruto said, according to The Star.

The deadly fire is the latest in a long and grim history of school dormitory fires in Kenya.

In 2001, 67 students were killed in Machakos County after a dormitory was set on fire by students, according to the BBC. In 2024, at least 21 people died in another dormitory fire in central Kenya.

Some past fires have been blamed on arson. Others have been ruled accidental.

For now, grieving families are waiting for answers after another night of horror inside a school dormitory ended with children dead, dozens injured and a nation shaken.