Drama ensued at St Augustine's College in Wakiso district last night when parents stormed the school demanding to meet their children after fire gutted a boys’ dormitory.
According to police, the fire brigade acted fast in putting out the fire after receiving a call from the administration on Monday night.
A short statement released by police last night indicated that no life was lost and that investigations had commenced to establish the cause of this fire.
However after receiving news of the fire, parents rushed to the school foot, while others used boda boda motorcycles and private vehicles demanding that the school opens its gates to allow them see their children physically suspecting that the fire could have claimed lives.
One of the parents, Jacqueline Namugga who rushed to the school in her night dress, claims she lost her mind when she learnt about the fire outbreak and all she wanted was physical confirmation that her child was safe and sound.
But, they were denied access to the school premises, which heightened their fears that something terrible could have happened. Gatekeepers and policemen first insisted that no parent was going to be allowed in for security purposes as more parents continued arriving each passing minute pleading to see their children.
They were assured by a police officer that the fire had been contained and no child was injured or dead. But this was not to be taken seriously.
Parents started pushing the gate prompting management to bow to pressure and allow them in.
According to students, fire started at around 8:30pm as they were attending preps in their respective classrooms, and they only heard screams from their counterparts who were in the nearby staff room and scampered for dear life.
All student properties including books and beddings among others were reduced to ashes, while one student suffered a heart attack during the stampede and was rushed to Wakiso Health Centre IV.
