Published on: Sunday, May 24, 2009 |
A three-storey building which houses the SMK Tawau 2 and SK Taman Tawau administrative centre was also damaged.
Some 245 pupils were attending a UPSR programme while 324 secondary students were sitting for their Term 1 examinations at the time.
All the students were instructed to gather at the school field before being allowed to go home. SMK Tawau II Principal, Mohd Isa Hasan, said the school would be closed for two days to allow for repairs and cleaning.
No classrooms were affected but overall damage could not be determined pending investigation by the fire department on the ruined block.
SK Taman Tawau Headmaster Fatimah Makhdirol alerted the Fire Department after hearing an explosion, believed from a gas tank, and guided the pupils to safety.
District Officer in-Charge of Station, Albert Jiran Tanjung said a distress call was received at 1.13pm, adding they managed to stop the fire from spreading at 2.42pm. The fire was completely put out at 4pm.
The cause is still unknown.
A witness said the fire started in one of the village houses while the occupants were not at home. Apas Native Chief Representative, Sy Safiah Sy Omar, 50, who was picking up her son, said the fire started to grow at about 1.30pm.
Villagers claimed had it not been for the low water pressure, most of the houses could have been saved.
The victims are being housed at the Surau for the time being.
