Utumishi Girls student who survived fire incident recounts trying to escape: "Jumped from 1st floor"

• An Utumishi Girls Academy fire survivor narrated the ordeal she said left her with physical pain and psychological trauma
• The student opened up about the incident that left 16 dead and 79 injured, recounting how she survived the tragedy by a whisker
• She shared how she almost lost her life had she not jumped from the first floor as she and her fellow students were looking to escape

A student from Utumishi Girls Academy who survived the tragic fire that claimed 16 lives has painfully opened up about the ordeal.

The horrifying incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, May 27, leaving 79 students injured and sparking widespread concern online.

The high school student was fortunate to survive the tragedy, although she suffered a broken arm and leg, which she emotionally recounted.

Was Utumishi Girls dormitory locked from the inside?

“Yesterday was a Muslim holiday and, according to our school culture, we normally follow a Saturday programme. We usually go to bed at 9pm. So at 9pm we went to the dormitories, and everybody freshened up ready to sleep. By the time we finally slept, it was around midnight if I remember clearly.

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Later at night, somebody in the dorm shouted, ‘Wake up! The dorm is on fire!’ Everybody was confused because they didn’t know what to do. By the time I was leaving the cubicle, the fire had already covered the pathway we were supposed to use to vacate the dormitory, making it impassable,” she said.

She explained that they had no alternative but to return to the cubicle because the dormitory was allegedly locked from the inside, despite the thick smoke filling the room.

The student noted that many girls struggled to breathe due to the heavy smoke.

Utumishi Girls survivor recounts jumping from first floor

“We had no option but to open the window and jump from the first floor. When I landed, I could not feel my feet or my right hand and I passed out. I do not know what happened after that,” she added.

When she regained consciousness, she found herself in hospital and expressed gratitude to the medical team for taking good care of her.

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Utumishi Girls: Heartbreaking scenes as parent attempts to enter dormitory destroyed by fire

Her arm and leg were bandaged, and she was placed on bed rest, as she slowly recovered, despite being in severe pain.

“It turns out I suffered broken bones because of the impact. I am in so much pain right now. Psychologically, mentally, and physically, I cannot say I am okay because I am traumatised by what happened. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. Being so young and experiencing this is very depressing. Physically, I am also in a lot of pain,” she said.

Parents reunite with Utumishi Girls survivors

In another story, survivors of the Utumishi Girls fire incident reunited with their parents in emotional scenes that brought relief to many Kenyans.

Parents were seen comforting their children after the inferno, while other students gathered in groups to console and support one another.

Social media users also flocked to the comment section to react to the tragedy and the ray of hope seen after the traumatic night.

Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS