Former student helps to save school

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A VILLAGER putting out the fire by scooping water with a pail.

KOTA KINABALU: Afren Mohd Wahi has such adoration for his former school, so much so that he was willing to risk his life to save it.

Kanchi Abdullah

The 25-year-old boatman was among those who came to put out the late evening fire that gutted Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pulau Gaya, forcing some 100 Form One and Two students to skip studies.

“I was with a few friends enjoying the night breeze when we heard people calling out fire. We then saw a bright light coming from the school area but thought that someone was burning rubbish.

“But the light grew brighter so we ran to check … I was shocked to see my former school on fire. Without thinking, we broke open the storeroom, grabbed anything we could use like pails, flower pots and even dustbins to scoop seawater to put off the fire.

“When it got so hot, I would dip myself into the sea to cool off the heat … we continued pouring water until help came. I am just glad I did something to save my former school,” he said.

The school’s Parents Teachers Association chairman Kanchi Abdullah, 57, meanwhile said he also heard people shouting and ran out of the house to check.

“I checked the clock and it was around 7.15pm. When I arrived, the fire has gutted most of the Form One and Two blocks, and destroyed the two workshops and a text book storeroom. I pity those children who would come and do not have classrooms,” he said.