Fire in Liberia religious school kills dozens of children

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Dozens of children have been killed after a fire broke out at their religious school in Paynesville, on the outskirts of the Liberian capital, Monrovia. 

"The kids were learning the Quran when the fire broke out," police spokesman Moses Carter was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency on Wednesday.

"The cause is not known yet," he said, giving a death toll of 30.

AFP news agency quoted the president's office as saying that the fire killed at least 26 children and two teachers.

"This is a tough time for the families of the victims and all of Liberia," President George Weah said in a post on Twitter. "Deepest condolences go out to the bereaved."

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