At least 26 children and two teachers were killed in a fire at a Koranic school near the Liberian capital Monrovia overnight on Tuesday, the president's office said Wednesday.

"The kids were learning the Koran when the fire broke out," police spokesman Moses Carter said.

He added that the blaze was caused by an electrical problem, and that further investigations are being conducted.

President George Weah tweeted, "Deepest condolences go out to the bereaved."