A fire at an Islamic school in northern Nigeria has claimed the lives of at least 17 children.

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Several other students sustained injuries and were quickly taken to health facilities in Kauran Namoda, Zamfara state, for medical attention.

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Reports suggest the blaze began in a nearby house on Tuesday night before spreading to the school, where the children, mostly teenagers, were asleep.

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Local authorities and emergency teams arrived at the scene, but the fire had already caused severe casualties.

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Eyewitness Yahaya Mahi told BBC Hausa that the school's location posed challenges for those attempting to extinguish the flames.

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“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.

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Local official Mannir Haidara said other Islamic schools would be inspected to make sure they were not a fire risk.

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”We’ll take measures to prevent another occurrence of this nature,” he said.

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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.

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