Police comb for clues at NWest school fire

Three girls were killed and 53 pupils injured when a fire broke at the school in the early hours of Monday.

A yellow police crime scene cordoned off the building while the forensic investigation continued at the back. Officials milled around waiting for the arrival of the North West Legislature Education Portfolio Committee to inspect the damage caused to the building.

North West police said the fire broke out on Monday at 1am.

"It is alleged that three children were asleep when the fire broke out at the girls' hostel. According to the information available at this stage, three girls, aged 16, 17 and 18 were trapped inside the building and died on the scene, while 53 were admitted at the hospital for smoke inhalation and injuries when they jumped from the first to ground floor," Major Pelonomi Makau.

The police were investigating an inquest. - ANA

(File photo: Gallo Images)