Nigeria, Feb. 5 -- A fire outbreak at a Tsangaya school (Almajiri school) has claimed the lives of 17 children in the Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Residents of the community said the midnight fire also injured at least 16 other pupils of the school.

The chairperson of Kaura-Namoda Local Government, Mannir Haidara, confirmed the incident to Channels Television on Wednesday.

He said details about the incident would be provided later.

A resident of the community, Abdul Razak Bello, told the TV station that the incident happened inside a study hall at Mallam Ghali Tsangaya School.

He said the fire was severe because of corn and millet stalks stored at the school premises.

Residents said the fire started late Tues...