Deadly Fire at Orphanage Began Before the Sun Came Up

A fire at an orphanage near the Algerian capital on Thursday killed 11 children and injured 19 others, authorities said. Algeria's Civil Protection agency said the fire broke out around 3:30am at the two-story childcare institution in Mohammedia, in the eastern suburbs of Algiers, reports the AP. The ages of the victims haven't been released by authorities, who didn't report any adult fatalities or injuries. Authorities haven't said what caused the fire. Five children with reduced mobility were safely evacuated by rescue teams, while several of the injured were transported to a hospital specializing in burns, said a spokesperson for the Civil Protection department.

Yassin Ibrize, who lives nearby, said he heard the commotion when the fire broke out and rushed to try and save children trapped inside. "We heard screams and voices coming from the burning orphanage, and then I saw that the flames had begun to engulf the place and the girls were inside," he said. "I ran out without a shirt on. I did everything I could to save as many people as possible. And thank God, I saved three girls.'' Covered in bandages, he said his shoulder, head, and pelvis were injured. His son also tried to help.

"When the screams intensified, I was the first one out," said Amir Ibrize, who was also visibly wounded. "I found an officer completely overwhelmed, and when I tried to go upstairs, there was too much smoke. I couldn't get through." Security officials guarded the entrance to the orphanage, beneath charred, empty window frames. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his condolences to those impacted by the fire, which happened on Algeria's National Children's Day. "It is with a heart resigned to the will of Allah that I learned of the death of children and the injuries suffered by other children of Algeria following the fire that broke out in a childcare institution," said Tebboune, who's on an official visit to Berlin.