At least 17 children tragically lost their lives due to a fire that erupted at an Islamic school in Kauran Namoda, located in northern Nigeria. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, also left several other pupils injured, necessitating their swift transportation to local healthcare facilities for medical attention.
Authorities believe the fire originated from a nearby residence and swiftly spread to the school while the teenagers were asleep. Despite the prompt arrival of local officials and emergency responders, the devastating impact of the blaze had already taken a significant toll by the time assistance was available.
Challenges in fire response
Eyewitness Yahaya Mahi shared insights with BBC Hausa about the difficulties faced in combating the fire. He remarked on the challenging access to the school, stating, “Even if the firefighters had come on time, reaching the house would’ve been difficult due to the tight road leading to the house.” This highlights the logistical barriers that hampered emergency response efforts.
Future safety measures
In the wake of this tragedy, local official Mannir Haidara announced plans for a thorough inspection of other Islamic schools in the region to ensure they are not at risk of similar incidents. He expressed a commitment to implementing measures that would help avert such devastating occurrences in the future, saying, “We’ll take measures to prevent another occurrence of this nature.”
As families grieve the loss of their loved ones, one father of a victim shared his heartbreak, revealing that while he is devastated, his faith in God provides him with solace during this challenging time.