JOHOR BARU: Fifteen students and three teachers of Maahad Tahfiz Sains Al Insyirah in Taman Tampoi Utama near here escaped a fire that destroyed the dormitory and multipurpose hall of the religious school on Thursday (April 2) afternoon.
Principal Mohamad Halimi Kolan said he heard cracking sounds from the upper floor housing the dormitory and hall when all students and staff were on the first floor attending Quranic studies in the 4.30pm incident.
"I asked a teacher to check before being informed that the fire was raging with thick smoke," he said when contacted, adding that he immediately instructed all students and staff to evacuate the building to safety.
"Thank Allah, all are safe. The fire-resistant door also helped control the situation from spreading too quickly," he said.
Meanwhile, the Johor Fire and Rescue Department said it received an emergency call at about 4.35pm before dispatching a fire engine from the Larkin Fire and Rescue Station to the location.
The statement said the fire involved a three-storey permanent building, with flames raging on the top floor housing student and teacher accommodation measuring about 30 x 30 square feet.
The fire was brought under control before operations were fully concluded at about 6.09pm.
No casualties were reported. - Bernama
