The incident, which was reported at around 3:30 am on Thursday, May 28, 2026, caused panic among students as emergency teams rushed to contain the situation and support those affected.
In a statement shared through its official X account, the Kenya Red Cross confirmed that its response teams were immediately dispatched to the school following reports of the blaze.
“Following a fire incident reported at around 3:30 am at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, Kenya Red Cross responded to support the ongoing emergency response,” the organisation stated.
According to the humanitarian agency, first responders, EMS Kenya ambulance crews, and psychosocial support teams were deployed to the scene to assist students and work alongside other emergency personnel and relevant authorities.
The organisation said its teams were focused on ensuring the safety of students, offering medical assistance where necessary, and providing emotional support to those affected by the traumatic incident.
Although the cause of the fire had not been established by Thursday morning, emergency teams continued with rescue operations and assessments at the school as investigations got underway.
Witnesses at the scene described moments of fear and confusion as students were evacuated from affected sections of the institution in the middle of the night.
Some students reportedly rushed out of their dormitories as smoke spread through parts of the school compound.
Authorities had not yet confirmed the extent of the damage or whether there were any serious injuries by the time of publication.
However, emergency responders remained at the scene for several hours as they worked to secure the area and account for all students.
The incident has once again raised concerns over fire safety in learning institutions, especially boarding schools, where previous fire tragedies have left lasting memories across the country.
Parents and guardians were urged to remain calm as authorities coordinated communication and response efforts at the school.
The Kenya Red Cross thanked emergency responders and local authorities for their cooperation during the operation, noting that efforts were ongoing to ensure all affected students received the necessary support.
Police officers and county emergency teams also joined the operation as investigations into the source of the fire began.
More details are expected to emerge as authorities complete assessments and gather information from the scene.