17 children die, 16 others injured in Zamfara Islamic school fire

No fewer than 17 Almajiri students have lost their lives in a fire incident which occurred in the Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, as a fire outbreak at an Islamiya school.

The fire which started late on Tuesday night and raged for about three hours left 16 others injured.

A resident of the area, Abdulrasaq Kaura, informed Channels Television that the fire was reportedly caused by stored sticks, locally known as “Kara.”

Kaura said, “It happened at Makaranta Mallam Ghali, inside their study hall. There are about 100 of them in the house, after they evacuated the students, they thought none of them remained inside the house, it was when they returned after the fire, that they started seeing their legs and hands, they got burnt beyond recognition.”

He further revealed that the deceased have been buried on Wednesday.

The Chairman of Kaura-Namoda Local Government, Mannir Haidara, also confirmed the incident.

Haidara, however, stated that he was on his way to the scene and would share more details later.

Speaking with PUNCH Online on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer for the State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the incident.

Abubakar, however, noted that 17 students were killed in the fire while 17 others are receiving treatment, adding that investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire.

He said, “Yes, the incident happened. 17 children were linked while 17 are on admission and investigation is ongoing.”

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