How a 12-Year-Old Braved Flames at Hillside Endarasha Academy to Save Friends

On the night of Thursday, September 5, 12-year-old Louis Karinga bravely went back into a burning dormitory of Hillside Endarasha Academy to rescue his two friends even though most adults would have been too afraid to do so.

Karinga initially escaped the blaze by leaping through a window near his bed. However, upon realizing that two of his close friends were still trapped inside, he made the selfless decision to re-enter the inferno. Despite the perilous conditions, Karinga successfully rescued both boys, pulling them to safety. His heroic efforts came at a cost, as he inhaled a significant amount of smoke during the rescue and required hospitalization. From his hospital bed at Mt Kenya Hospital in Nyeri town, Karinga, accompanied by his father Paul Ngumo, recounts the harrowing experience.

He describes being awakened by intense heat and witnessing the dormitory engulfed in flames, with smoke billowing from all directions. After ensuring the safety of the first boy, who sustained minor burns on his arm, Karinga learned that another student remained inside. Without hesitation, he braved the flames once more to rescue the second Grade Seven boy. The fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy resulted in 70 pupils receiving treatment at Mt Kenya Sub County Hospital. Dr Charles Ndirangu, the hospital’s medical superintendent, reported that only Karinga required admission for further observation due to smoke inhalation.

The other pupils, who sustained minor injuries, received psychological counselling before being released to their parents. While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, preliminary reports suggest an electrical fault may have been the trigger. One parent mentioned that the blaze reportedly started when a light bulb exploded and ignited a mattress, corroborating accounts from other students who witnessed the fire’s rapid spread following an explosion. Government officials including Dr Isaac Mwaura visited the scene to assess the damage and offer support to affected families.

Dr Mwaura noted that several pupils were still unaccounted for. The government has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire and implement measures to prevent future tragedies. Louis Karinga’s act of bravery has earned him widespread admiration, with his family expressing immense pride in his actions. Mr Patrick Gikandi, another parent at the school, also praised his son who was among those who assisted in rescuing other pupils from the burning dormitory.