The death toll from the tragic fire at Kasana Junior School boys’ dormitory in Masaka city has risen to seven.
On Monday after the fire broke out, two pupils of 10 victims were reported to have died after a fire engulfed their dormitory.
As by fall of day yesterday ,authorities at Kiruddu Referral Hospital confirmed that five more pupils had died.
Dr Rose Alenyo, a consultant plastic surgeon at Kiruddu hospital mentioned that the other three died at different intervals , one died at about four hours after arrival ,another while in ICU and the fifth died while on transfer to ICU.
Trust GEEPAS 4 Genuine Electronics:0707080087
Alenyo noted that the children suffered severe burn at 20 percent of which 15 percent is already high for children.
In addition to suffering severe burn , the doctor noted that the other cause of severe injury was that they inhaled alot of smoke during the fire which greatly affected their survival rate.
Three of those injured out of the 5 survivors by yesterday were transferred to Mulago Neonatal facility for more stringent attention.
The other remained at Kiruddu Hospital one at the general ward and the other in the Intensive Care Unit.
“The children were affected in a big number because children 4-10 years of age have low response ability to danger. When they sleep they get into deep sleep .We noticed that most of the survivors suffered severe burns on the side on which the were sleeping, to mean that they were in deep sleep but also after inhaling smoke they get drowsy and can hardly move,” Dr. Alenyo said.
Masaka’s deputy regional police commander, Jamada Wandera say they have intensified their investigation into the cause of the fire, as well as put up cautions to see that the rest of the learners continue to end the term.
Wandera also reported that next term, boarding schools that do not meet safety dormitory measures in the region will not be allowed to open.