Fire Destroys Students’ Dormitory at Rwamagana Girls’ School; No Injuries Reported

The fire broke out around 10 a.m. while students were in classrooms, according to school officials. The dormitory, which housed about 150 beds, was completely gutted, with mattresses, bedding, clothing, and other personal belongings reduced to ashes.

“No student was hurt because everyone was in class when the fire started,” a school administrator said. “Unfortunately, all the students’ belongings were lost.”

The Rwanda National Police Fire and Rescue Brigade quickly responded and prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings. However, by the time it was extinguished, much of the dormitory’s contents had already been destroyed.

Parents expressed concern about the losses, saying the incident has disrupted students’ learning. “The children were in the middle of the school term,” one parent said. “They have nowhere else to go, and the school has suffered a huge setback. The government should help rebuild and allow learning to continue.”

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Local officials said they are working with the Ministry of Education and partners to support affected students and restore normal learning conditions.

“The good news is that no lives were lost,” a district official said. “We are assessing the damage and coordinating emergency assistance for the students.”

The Institute of Women for Excellence is a prominent girls’ secondary school in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, known for promoting education and leadership among young women.