A fire that destroyed an orphanage in Sabeto has left at least 80 children displaced.

President of the Islamic Education Center Aktar Ali says the children have now been moved to the library and other classrooms for the time being.

Ali says that it’s an unfortunate start to the New Year as the fire destroyed the dormitories, dining hall, kitchen, lavatories, the main office and a few other buildings.

He says the fire started yesterday at the orphanage around midday and it’s believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

Ali says despite the significant damage, there are thankful that no one was injured in the fire.

The cost of the damage is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile the National Fire Authority is currently assessing the cause of the fire.