SARIKEI: Quick action by villagers saved students when a school hostel here caught fire early this morning.
There were 12 boys and 17 girls staying at the hostel when the incident happened but they were safely evacuated.
According to the State Fire and Rescue Operation Centre (Bomba), the fire happened at SK Orang Kaya Muda Pakeri Paloh at Kampung Paloh.
The centre received a distress call at 7.29 am and firemen from Tanjung Manis station immediately rushed to the hostel located about 40 kms from the station.
The firemen had to use boats to carry fire extinguishing equipment to the hostel.
The fire completely destroyed one hostel room for the boys. There was, however, no report of casualties.
The centre said 30 Community Bomba members from the surrounding villages used 22 fire extinguishers, two water hoses from the fire hydrant and transport pump to control the fire.
The operation ended at 10 am after the firemen had completely put out the fire.
