An early morning inferno Sunday claimed the lives of five students of the Imam Bilal Islamic Centre in Yundum, school and fire rescue authorities confirmed.
The cause of fire is still being investigated but school authorities suspect its caused by someone with knowledge of the school.
The spokesperson of Gambia Fire and Rescue services told Alkamba Times they were called to respond to a fire incident in the Yundum area at 3am Sunday morning.
Mr. Pateh Gibba said the fire was put under control shortly after the fire brigades intervention.
He confirmed that seven students are currently receiving medical treatment at the hospital and the fire and rescue service could not save victims due to the institutions capacity constrains.
“We could not evacuate some of the victims due to lack of available ambulances. I am appealing to government to help us with tools to ensure we deliver our work more effectively,’ Fire service Public Relations told Alkamba Times in an Interview.
He said investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.
Meanwhile, the founder and CEO of the school, Imam Essa Jawara who is seriously devastated by the news sent condolences to the family’s of victims and prayed for them to rest in peace.
According to sources, this is not first fire outbreak reported at the facility and those killed are aged 16 below.
