Fire Dept: Escape route was blocked
School did not follow local govt regulations in applying for permits
KUALA LUMPUR: The tahfiz school where 23 died in an early morning fire had submitted architectural drawings to the Fire and Rescue Department two years ago and was only now in the midst of applying for a fire safety permit.
Renovations done on the building had disregarded safety recommendations and also blocked access to a stairwell by which those trapped on the higher floors could have escaped.
Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (operation) Datuk Soiman Jahid said the incident could have been avoided if the school had followed the local government regulations in applying for the appropriate permits.
“The school did not acquire a permit to begin its operations but was in the midst of applying for one,” he said.
He added that operations should have only begun once all permits were acquired. The school has been in operation for more than a year.
The department’s director-general Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said initial submissions of architectural drawings showed that the building had two stairwells and was an open concept dormitory which would allow those inside access to both stairwells for emergency exit.
He said his department had come back to the school with recommendations for fire safety, including equipment.
“Based on our investigations now, the recommendations were not followed and renovations were made including putting up an illegal partition. The renovation blocked access to the second exit,” he told reporters.
He added that the school should have submitted mechanical and engineering drawings prior to the building construction but nothing was submitted.
He said the living arrangements at the top floor were very cramped with double-decker beds placed too close to one another.
“This also would have made it difficult for victims to escape in an emer- gency,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Khirudin Drahman said the fire was not caused by a short circuit as forensic findings and the Energy Commission confirmed that the electricity circuit of school’s main switch was in good condition.
He said the fire had spread in a strange and unusual way, which was also quick and big.
“Based on information from the victims who were saved, the fire started from outside the door of the hostel, trapping them in. In addition, there were two gas canisters there, which could have contributed to a bigger fire that spread fast,” he told reporters.