Officials report that a fire at an Islamic school in northern Nigeria has killed at least 17 kids.
Numerous additional students suffered injuries and were sent to medical facilities in the Zamfara state town of Kauran Namoda for treatment.
The students, who are thought to be between the ages of 10 and 16, were asleep when the fire, which started in a nearby house on Tuesday night, spread to the school.
As they work to aid in the recovery of those hurt, the officials said they are looking into what started the fire.
Emergency personnel and local officials were dispatched to the area, but the fire had already claimed several lives.
The village buried the deceased kids on Wednesday afternoon, according to police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar.
The location of the school made it difficult for those trying to stop the fire, eyewitness Yahaya Mahi told BBC Hausa.
“Even if the firefighters had come on time, reaching the house would’ve been difficult due to the tight road leading to the house,” he said.
Local official Mannir Haidara said other Islamic schools would be inspected to make sure they were not a fire risk.
”We’ll take measures to prevent another occurrence of this nature,” he said.
The father of one of the victims told BBC Hausa that he was devastated but his faith in God was comforting him at this time.
The authorities believe there were about 100 pupils in the school.
They said many of the students came from different villages around Kaura Namoda, the second biggest town in Zamfara state.
