NABAWAN: Fire destroyed a wooden block belonging to SK Lotong Sapulut here early yesterday morning.
Keningau District Fire and Rescue Department chief Janil Jaya, who confirmed the incident, said the fire happened about 2.30am yesterday.
He said the department received an emergency call from the public about 2.30am informing that the wooden block of the school building was on fire.
“The distance between Keningau to the school is 100 kilometers. Acting on the information, the fire department dispatched a fire engine with five fire personnel and four volunteers to the scene,” he said, adding that the swift action of the fire and rescue personnel with assistance of residents and the public prevented the fire from spreading to other buildings.
He said the operation ended about 6.20am and no casualty was reported.
“From the preliminary information we received, the fire destroyed the block consisting of a staffroom, the primary six classroom, meeting room and the PPSMI room where teaching materials, including computers and laptops, were kept.
“We are still collecting information on this incident and until the investigation is completed, the cause of fire and estimated loss are not known,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup has asked the Ministry of Education to construct a new school building at SK Lotong Sapulut to replace the one destroyed by fire as soon as possible.
“I received a report of the fire at a building block of the school in Nabawan district,” he told reporters when asked to comment on the incident after the breaking of fast and handing over contribution to senior citizens and single mothers at the Sook Mosque here yesterday.
“I have also requested for the Department of Education and management of the school to find other alternative places for the school children to learn while waiting for a new school.
“We need to act quickly as the burnt block housed classes for Primary Six students who are sitting for their Primary School Assessment Test (UPSR) this year,” he said.
He said a temporary place to house the Primary Six students would contribute to the excellence of the students in the UPSR this year.
Kurup did not want any of the students to drop out due to the lack of place to learn following the destruction of the school block in the fire.
At the same time, he also did not want the students’ learning to be affected as a result of a less conducive and comfortable place to study.
“I hope the State Education Department can take the initiative to build a temporary building for the convenience of the affected students.
“At the same time, I also requested that the Ministry of Education take swift action to construct a new building to replace the one that was burnt,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Kurup said he was confident that the breaking of fast could strengthen the unity of the people of various races and religions.
He was convinced that the event can also create a sense of togetherness and goodwill among the people.
Kurup also presented contributions to 50 senior citizens and single mothers to ease their burden when celebrating Hari Raya.
Also present at the event were Kurup’s wife, Puan Sri Malinda Kurup; Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Alfred Ellron Angin; Sook Community Development Leader, Charles Ikang; Sook Community Development Officer, Kunin Saili and Pensiangan Parliamentary Liaison Chief Officer, Rayner Udong.