A tragic fire outbreak at an Almajiri school in Kauran Namoda, Zamfara State, has claimed the lives of at least 17 schoolchildren inside the learning facility.
Aside from the deceased schoolchildren, dozens of others were reported on admission in hospitals after sustaining varying degrees of burns during the inferno.
On Wednesday, The Guild correspondent learnt that the incident occurred yesterday night from a location in the school before spreading to other parts of the facility.
Eyewitnesses narrated that the blaze raged uncontrollably for approximately three hours before it was finally subdued.
The intensity of the fire made rescue efforts challenging, as it spread rapidly through the school premises, preventing many early respondents to stand helplessly as the fire rages before the emergency team.
Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing scene, with one local resident involved in the rescue efforts describing the situation as overwhelming.
“It was heartbreaking. We tried our best to save as many students as possible, but the flames were too fierce,” the witness lamented.
Emergency responders and local authorities rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, the fire had already caused significant casualties by the time it was brought under control.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are underway to determine the circumstances that led to the devastating incident.
