SEREMBAN: Five secondary schoolgirls suffered burns on their hands after a portable gas stove they were trying to light exploded at their school here.
The Form Four students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Puteri were rushed to the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital here and their condition is reported to be not serious.
The incident happened at 9.40am when the students were trying to light the stove during a Canteen Day programme participated by scores of students at a covered assembly area of the school.
Seven firemen arrived at the school in two trucks from the Seremban and Seremban 2 fire and rescue stations at 9.55 am.
Negeri Sembilan Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Johari Ahmad said the fire had been extinguished and the students sent to hospital by the time the firemen arrived.
He said an investigation showed that the fire was caused by the explosion of a portable gas stove.
Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan director of education Kalsom Khalid said she had ordered an immediate stop to all activities related to cooking at the school.
“I have asked all the students to only conduct activities which have nothing to do with cooking. Teachers will closely monitor the programme,” she said. — Bernama