TANAH MERAH: Twenty-five female students of Sekolah Menengah Agama Maahad Ahmadi in Kampung Padang Siam here were spared a fiery death when they managed to escape their burning hostel early this morning.
The incident, which occurred at 4.30am, destroyed 70 per cent of the house-turned hostel, which is located about 500 metres from the school.
According to student Norfadhilah Amran, 18, she was awoken by the sound of small explosions in the kitchen. Peering into the back of the house, she noticed a fire which quickly grew in size and began to spread.
“I rushed to wake the other students, and we fled from the fire,” she said when met by reporters at the scene here today.
Another student, Nuradriana Muhammad Zulkifli, 18, who is still traumatised by the incident, said she failed to save her schooling materials, clothing and important documents.
“The fire moved so fast,” she said.
Tanah Merah Fire and Rescue Department chief fire Assistant Superintendent Hanaffi Mohd said that seven firemen and two engines took about 10 minutes to bring the fire under control.
“We are still investigating the exact cause of the fire,” he added. – BERNAMA