• At least 15 students have died in a fire at Utumishi Girls School in Kenya.
• The fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday, affecting students while they slept.
• Over 70 students are reported injured, with emergency responders on-site.
• Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
• Parents have gathered at the school as rescue efforts continue.

A tragic fire at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, Kenya, has resulted in at least 15 deaths among students, with emergency responders still assessing the situation. The fire started early Thursday morning while students were asleep, leading to significant panic and chaos, according to reports from police and the Kenya Red Cross. Eyewitness accounts indicated that smoke quickly filled the dormitory, contributing to the disaster's severity, according to CBS News, BBC, Reuters, and India Times.

According to police reports, the fire resulted in not only deaths but also injuries to over 70 students, with many receiving medical treatment at local hospitals. Emergency teams are providing psychological support to affected students and families, highlighting the emotional toll of the incident. The building has been cordoned off as authorities conduct thorough investigations to establish the cause of the deadly blaze, which remains unclear at this time, as emphasized by various officials at the scene, according to CBS News, Reuters, and India Times.

This incident pulls into focus the broader issue of school fire safety in Kenya, where such tragedies are alarmingly common. The Kenyan government has faced scrutiny over historical incidents of school fires linked to arson or negligence. Following the fire, local authorities have urged schools to enhance fire safety protocols to protect students' wellbeing, a sentiment echoed by the police and educational officials involved in the response efforts, according to BBC and India Times.