Fire razes Tenakoga Adventist High School double classrooms
AN early morning blaze has left damages worth SBD$2.5 million to Tenakoga Adventist High School in North East Guadalcanal after a two-storey classroom complex was burnt to the ground around 4am on Thursday morning.
Reports reaching the paper said staff and students were alerted about the fire at about 4am, only to find a classroom wing for forms 4, 5 and two science labs located at the ground floor engulfed in flames.
Teachers’ offices between the classrooms were also destroyed by the blaze.
An immediate effort to protect neighbouring classrooms, while fighting the flames were successful, Chareen Simbe, a school teacher said.
“The flames were kept to the classroom of origin, but two others suffered heavy smoke damage,” she said.
“Staff and students fully extinguished the fire almost an hour after they alert the surrounding nearby villagers for help,” she added.
Madam Simbe said the fire spread so quickly and they could not save any resources, or desks and chairs.
“Our teachers couldn’t save their student’s work. Most of the community came to help us put out the fire.
“Thankfully we were able to save the other classroom wing which is only metres away.
“Staff, students and the surrounding villagers were in shock, pain and heartbroken to see the classroom engulfed in flames.
“It was a lucky for the school through the help of the surrounding villagers they have managed to save the other classroom and a staff housing which also partly burnt,” she stated.
School Principal Francis Leovania said, “For us teachers, students and the community, this school is our pride as it is built by the community, so it is indeed a very sad situation for us.”
He said they have students all over the country attending the school, from Temotu to Bougainville and not only Guadalcanal.
Given the sad situation, Madam Simbe is optimistic that Tenakoga will rise again.
“It has risen before and through God’s blessing and goodness, it will rise again. With God, all things are possible.”
She quotes, Isaiah 43:2 says “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze”.
“Tenakoga we will rise!!!” she said.
Due to the fire incident, all classes have been canceled as of yesterday as a meeting was called for the school board, education authority and the community to agree to a possible early break, while seeking an alternative when to resume classes.
Principal Leovania is appealing to anyone at large to render them support at the moment so that they can rebuild their classes for the sake of the students.
Trans Pacific Union Mission education director Mele Vaihola told Adventist Record the school had just celebrated a special week.
“They were on a high note as they had just finished their Adventist Education Week with 25 student baptisms and one teacher baptism—and now the fire,” Ms Vaihola said.
“We praise the Lord that no lives were lost. Please remember the principal, staff and students in your prayers.”
Tenakoga Adventist High School is located approximately 90 minutes’ drive from Honiara. About 240 students are enrolled at the boarding school.
A public appeal has also been launched overseas to help rebuild the school.
Meanwhile, many former students, staff and supporters of the school have expressed sadness following the tragic incident.
Many have also shed tears after seeing their photos of the fire being posted online.
They all vowed to support rebuilding the school, once work is set to start.
The cause of the fire is under Police investigation, and they are treating the incident as suspicious in nature.
No injuries were reported during the incident.
By FOLLET JOHN
Newsroom, Honiara
