Police to probe cause of fire from all angles
KUALA LUMPUR: Investigations into the fire at a tahfiz school which claimed the lives of 23 students and teachers here early Thursday will be carried out from all angles, including the possibility of arson, says Inspector- General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
He said until the full forensic investigation report was available, the death of the students and teachers were classified as sudden death.
“Be patient and wait for the forensic report. We need the black and white report so that we can move to the next step further,” he told reporters at Bukit Aman here yesterday.
Mohamad Fuzi said this in response to the development of the investigation into the fire at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah school yesterday.
He said the police would also record the statements from the premises owner, as well as other surviving teachers and students soon.
“This is just a normal procedure in every case and police will investigate it as soon as possible,” he said.
The 5.15am fire at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah school yesterday claimed the lives of 21 students and 2 teachers after they were trapped in the building that had grilles on the door and windows.
Six other students sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) vowed to work
Be patient and wait for the forensic report. We need the black and white report so that we can move to the next step further.
closely with the Royal Malaysian Polic if foul play is detected in the fire at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah school.
JBPM director- general Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said they were currently investigating from the point of negligence and technicality and the investigation was expected to take two to three weeks.
“We are in the midst of identifying the actual cause of fire from various angles, including by recording statements from the premises owner, survivors and witnesses at the scene.
“If any elements of treason or foul play are detected, we will submit a report to the PDRM for further investigation,” he told Bernama when contacted here yesterday.
According to director of the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department Khirudin Drahman, initial investigation into the fire at the school found that it was not caused by a short circuit.
He said the forensic findings and the Energy Commission confirmed that the electricity circuit from the school building’s main switch was in good condition.
Authorities were now investigating claims gas cylinders could have played a role, foreign wire service AFP quoted him as saying.
According to AFP, one of the survivors said two cylinders were left by the dormitory door and had caught fire, preventing those inside from leaving.
“We have not ruled out foul play,” Khirudin said, adding that fires in dormitories were typically caused by unattended cooking or mosquito coils.
“The forensic team is doing the laboratory tests. We want to wrap up the results as soon as possible.”
At the burial site on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, 12 graves were being prepared and chairs had been set up under canopies for family members.
Gravedigger Nasri Mustapha, 42, said he felt a “deep sense of sorrow, anger and helplessness”.
“I am a parent — the children died hugging one another,” he told AFP.
“Some were holding the Quran in their hands.”
Some of the children did manage to escape by breaking through a grille and jumping out or sliding down drain pipes.
A handful are still in hospital. — Bernama — Agencies
Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, Inspector-General of Police