Tragedy as 26 children burnt beyond recognition in Niger school fire Tragedy hit the south of Niger, as a fire engulfed classrooms made from straw and wood, killing at least 26 children aged between five and six on Monday. Chaibou Aboubacar, Maradi city mayor who confirmed the incident said "right now, we have 26 dead and 13 injured, four of them seriously." READ ALSO: 3 students burnt beyond recognition as fire guts UNIMAID female hostel Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world, has tried to fix shortages of school buildings by...