Fire partially destroys tahfiz’s hostel, says report

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 29): A fire destroyed almost 50% of a hostel belonging to the Pusat Tahfiz Hafizatul Quran in Chukai, Terengganu, yesterday, reported Harian Metro.

The hostel accommodates 11 pupils aged between nine and 15, and a teacher.

All were in a class in the next block when the blaze gutted part of their hostel.

Hostel supervisor Abdul Latif Abdul Kadir told the Malay daily that one of the pupils noticed the fire which started at about 8.30pm.

“She immediately informed the hostel warden who then contacted the fire services,” he said.

The fire was brought under control by 10pm by 20 Fire and Rescue Department fire fighters.

According news reports last year, director-general of Fire and Rescue Department  Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said half of the 956 tahfiz centres inspected by the department in the country were found to be unsafe.

A fire last September at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz centre in Keramat took the lives of 21 pupils and two wardens.