A REPORT ON A FIRE BROKE OUT AT THE SCHOOL CANTEEN.

TO: Encik Zamri bin Abdul Aziz

Principal of SMK Melur.

Recently, on 20 April 2016, SMK Melur was shocked by the news of a fire
which flared up in the school canteen. This was the first mishap happened
to the school since it was established in 1986. Everyone was traumatised
as for 30 years the school was safe and sound. This misfortune occurred
at 10.15 a.m during the lower secondary students recess time. This
caused a chaos as at that moment, every student which consists of form
1, 2 and 3 students were over the moon enjoying their scrumptious meal.

Faris Aiman, the leader of 2 Al- Farabi who was the eyewitness of the
incident said said that the fire eruption was mainly caused by the leaking
gas. A few minutes before the incident happened, he was in the canteens
kitchen to ask for his reserved meal. Faris had smelt some gassy smell. He
knew something was fishy there but then he ignored his feeling as he was
absolutely ravenous and was in rush to enjoy his brunch. In a split second,
out of the blue, after Faris stepped out of the kitchen, a minor explosion
occurred. The small fire started to flare and it pounced a piece of cloth
nearby. Beyond everyone expectation, just in 5 minutes, the fire which
had at first been a tiny flame developed into a big blaze. It touched the
roof and gradually spread over the windows and other parts of the
kitchen.

In a nick of time, the excessive heat was sensed by the thermistor of the
fire alarm and it started to ring. The situation panicked the whole school
especially those who were in the canteen. Without wasting any time, Faris
Aiman hesitantly ran to the staff room and informed a teacher in charge
about the outbreak of the fire. The teachers who got cold feet then started
summoning all students to gather at the assembly point. At that time,
cries of lamentations were heard everywhere. Most of the weak heart
students cried in fear as they were not able to control the havoc situation
prevailing.

At the same moment, Puan Rohana, one of the English teachers who was
in charge on that day took an action to call the ambulance and the fire
brigade. Meanwhile, a few male teachers tried to bring the fire under
control using the fire extinguishers. All of them were expert enough as
they had once involved in a fire training session before. While the canteen
was caught on fire, Sir Danial had all the guts to save a few workers who
were trapped in the flame. He was so strong willed to help them that he
sacrificed his own life to go through the flames and save the unconscious
victims. After sir Danial managed to bring everyone out with the help of
others, he then urged the other teachers to bring the workers who were
suffocated, out of the incident and performed Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR) to them.

As our school was a stones throw away from the fire station and the
hospital, the fire brigade and the ambulance needed five minutes and a
half to arrive here. The fire men then took place their job to put out the
fire using the fire hoses. In half an hour, they managed to get the flames
down. Meanwhile, the paramedics played their role to give some further
treatment to the unfortunate victims. Mak Cik Minah, the main cook was
rushed to the hospital as she was badly injured. Her face was half-scalded
while her left leg was fractured as it was trapped under the concrete
structure. After the incident, Encik Johari, the canteens owner said that
much damage was done to the canteen building. Most of it was nothing
but a heap of ashes. All of the valuable property in the kitchen like the
stove, refrigerator and the ice cream machine had been lost due to the
incident. The whole loss was estimated at RM 10 000.

As the fire incident emerged, it is a must for everyone include the

students, teachers and the other staffs to stay in a calm manner. Even
though it is a situation which made our blood to run cold, we need to hit
the panic button as it could worse the condition. For those who were low
in spirit, teachers and the friends must show some support and encourage
to them. The students were always joining the fire training session
organised by the school twice a year. Thus, it was the best time for us to
practise on what we had learnt before. All of us should follow our own
emergency path and gather at the assembly point. At this moment, the
leaders of the class must take the obligation to make sure every Tom, Dick
and Harry in the class to be there. If the number was lacking, inform the
problem to the homeroom teacher for further action.

To sum up, it was a bad hair day for everyone in the school. Thus, I would
like them to bear in mind that it is a vital to be cautious in every work that
want to be done. Teachers, students and all the community school
members must take the responsibility to ensure this misfortune doesnt
arise again in the future. Everyones hoping to live in a safer environment
and harmonious condition in the school. Therefore, I hope the damage in
the canteen can be repaired intermediately for the convenience of all.

Written by,
(MOHD HAKIM BIN ALI)

THE HEAD PREFECT,

SMK MELUR.