At least 17 schoolchildren died after a midnight fire destroyed their dormitory in Nigeria's northwestern state of Zamfara, a local official said.
The fire broke out while students were asleep at Makaranta Mallam Ghali, a faith-based study centre in the Kaura-Namoda area of the state, injuring at least 16 others, Mannir Muazu Haidara, chairman of Kaura-Namoda local government area, told the media.
The fire raged for more than three hours, and local school officials initially believed they had evacuated all students, about 100 of whom were there at the time of the incident, witnesses said. However, after the fire was extinguished, it was discovered that not all students had been evacuated.
They thought no one was left inside, but when they returned after the fire, they found the victims, Abdulrasaq Bello Kaura, a resident, told local Channels television.
The fire, which broke out at midnight, is reported to have been caused by a pile of sticks stored on the school premises and was accidentally lit by an unknown person. An investigation is underway.
(AA/BalkanWeb)
