How horrifying!
Earlier this morning (14th September), news of a fire breaking out in a religious school shook Malaysians. The school, which is located in Datuk Keramat, reportedly caught fire, killing at least 23 students and 2 staff members.
Now, according to the New Straits Times, the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department discovered that the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah Tahfiz Centre did not have a fire exit, which probably trapped the victims in the burning building!
Source: Facebook
Due to this discovery, the Fire and Rescue Department are currently investigating whether the school obtained a license to operate, according to the department’s deputy director Abu Obaidat.
The fire was believed to have started as a short circuit at the school’s main door, since the victims’ remains were found elsewhere in the building.
“All bodies were found (near the) windows at the left and right, on the second floor, but tragically, all the windows had (grilles on them),” the deputy director told the daily.
Source: Utusan
Source: Utusan
Source: The Star
Their bodies were also reportedly found piled on top of each other. Currently, the final death count from the fire is still being determined.
One resident living near the school who witnessed the early morning blaze reportedly said, “I heard their screams and cries but I could not do anything. The fire was too strong for me to do anything.”
“I saw their little hands out of the grilled windows; crying for help. After 20 minutes of cries, their voices slowly faded.”
What a horrible tragedy to befall so many young children! Our condolences go out to the family of the victims who lost their lives to the fire.
Also read: 25 Students and Teachers Tragically Killed in Religious School That Caught Fire
