Kuala lumpur: An eight-room building at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Padang Melangit was significantly damaged in a fire this morning, resulting in a private cleaning worker suffering burns on 30 percent of his body.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Perlis Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Assistant Director of Operations, PgKB II Mohamad Azhar Yussof, reported that they received an emergency call at 11.05 am and arrived at the scene within 13 minutes. The building, which included a store, an art room, a Design and Technology (RBT) room, and a health room, was approximately 90 percent destroyed by the fire. It is believed the fire ignited in the store room and rapidly spread to adjacent rooms.

The firefighting efforts involved personnel from the Padang Besar, Kangar, and Arau Fire Stations, along with the Volunteer Fire Squad (PBS). They managed to bring the fire under control within an hour, despite initial challenges due to limited water sources and a malfunctioning nearby hydrant. The team resorted to using water from a nearby pond until tanker assistance arrived. The cause of the fire and the total extent of the damage remain under investigation.

The injured cleaning worker, a 29-year-old man, sustained burns to his back thigh. He is currently in stable condition and receiving treatment at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital (HTF) in Kangar.

Perlis Education Director, Rose Aza Che Arifin, confirmed that all 192 students and 18 teachers were safely evacuated to the school hall when the fire was detected. He mentioned that the building was slated for an upgrade to house the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) block next year. However, this incident necessitates a reassessment of plans to ensure better facilities. The school will resume normal operations tomorrow, as the classrooms were not affected.

Rose Aza also expressed gratitude to the fire department for their swift action in extinguishing the fire and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.