A stray spark from a faulty air‑conditioning unit ignited a deadly fire at a children’s orphanage in Mohammadia, a suburb of Algiers, in the early hours of Thursday. The blaze, which was contained after a protracted battle by the fire service, killed 11 people—most of whom were children—and left 19 others with burns, smoke inhalation, and shock.
Forensic investigators say the unit had been running continuously amid an intense summer heatwave, allowing a spark to spark a flare‑up that quickly spread through the homemade dormitories. A caretaker working at the orphanage was among the victims.
President Abdelmajid Tebboune released a statement that “children were among the dead” and that the civil defence unit expressed “May God have mercy on them.” He pledged that the incident would be investigated thoroughly.
Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited survivors at two hospitals where they are receiving treatment for burns and other injuries. The fire has sparked demands from opposition parties and civil society for an independent inquiry and nationwide review of fire‑safety standards in orphanages, schools, and care homes.
The incident has drawn widespread outrage, with many social media users calling for the resignation of officials who oversaw child welfare. Critics highlight that the mayor and provincial governor were absent during the initial rescue operation, raising questions about the adequacy of emergency response protocols.
Algeria is also contending with numerous other fires, including several wildfires in the north of the country, exacerbating concerns about building safety and emergency preparedness.
