SMATD Dormitory Catches Fire

KULIM: A total of 101 students from the Sekolah Menengah Agama Tarbiah Diniah (SMATD) here were safely evacuated following a fire that broke out at approximately 2.30 am on Tuesday.

Operations Commander, Assistant Fire Superintendent Abdul Mois Ahmad Mansur, said an emergency call was received at 2.47 am reporting the incident.

According to him, personnel from the Kulim Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), the Kulim Hi-Tech BBP, as well as assistance from the Voluntary Fire Brigade (PBS), carried out firefighting operations.

“Upon arrival at the scene, it was found that the fire involved a two-storey boys’ dormitory building, destroying approximately 65 percent of the overall structure of the upper floor.

“However, all 101 students managed to evacuate and gathered at a safe location before the arrival of the Operations Response Team at the scene,” he said.

Firefighting efforts were successfully brought under control at 3.09 am using four water lines with four jets, while operations were fully concluded at 6.25 am after overhaul work was completed.

The cause of the fire and the total amount of losses are still under investigation.

It is understood that the dormitory that caught fire housed Form Two, Form Three (rear dormitory), Form Four, and Form Six students.

Following the incident, all students were allowed to return home with their respective guardians starting at 7 am to give the school space to manage the situation and carry out follow-up actions.

Sinar Harian