Twelve children evacuated as property worth millions destroyed in school fire

Twelve children have been safely evacuated after a fire incident at Jomo Kenyatta Home for the Physically Disabled in Embu.

Property worth millions of shillings was reduced to ashes following the incident.

Preliminary reports indicate that the fire affected a dormitory and a kitchen at the institution.

The school, which was established in 1965 in Kirimari Ward in Embu, Manyatta Constituency hosts children with various forms of disabilities.

Meanwhile, locals and police officers have called on the county administration to set up a proper fire department.

"The fire would have been contained in good time if we had a proper fire department in place. We had to once again ask for support from Tharaka Nithi," police said.

The incident comes amid heightened calls to have a functional department.

Earlier this year, two officials were fired by Governor Cecily Mbarire over laxity, but locals say they are yet to see any changes.