11 children dead, 19 injured in orphanage fire in Algeria

NewsPolicemen stand outside the fire damaged orphanage in Mohammedia, near Algiers, Algeria, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (AP Photo)AP Photo/STRA fire at an orphanage near the Algerian capital on Thursday killed 11 children and injured 19 others.“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. I ran out without a shirt on,’’ Yassin Ibrize, who lives nearby, said.“I did everything I could to save as many people as possible. And thank God, I saved three girls.’’Algeria’s Civil Protection agency said the fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. at the two-story childcare institution in Mohammedia.The ages of the victims have not been released by authorities, who did not report any adult fatalities or injuries. Authorities have not 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 Lt. Col. Nassim Bernaoui, head of communications for the Civil Protection department.Ibrize’s son also tried to help.“When the screams intensified, I was the first one out. I found an officer completely overwhelmed, and when I tried to go upstairs, there was too much smoke. I couldn’t get through,” said Amir Ibrize, also visibly wounded.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Mark Heim is a senior writer who provides sports, news and trending content. He co-hosts a daily sports radio show on WNSP-FM 105.5 in Mobile. Heim has been recognized with awards for his writing, headlines and...