WW2 bomb, fire force two schools to close
Published on: Tuesday, January 15, 2019
By: Bernama
KOTA KINABALU: A fire and the discovery of a World War II air bomb caused two primary schools in Kudat to temporarily close Monday.The closure of the two schools – SK Karakit in Pulau Banggi and SJKC Lok Yuk in Pinangsoo – affected 42 teachers and 393 students.
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Sabah state education (JPNS) director, Mistirine Radin, said of the number, 29 teachers and 283 pupils were from SK Karakit, where a fire razed the school’s administrative building and two blocks of teachers’ quarters, Sunday.
“The department (JPNS) went to SK Karakit today to see the available remaining space so that teaching and learning activities can commence as soon as possible,” she said when contacted by Bernama, here, Monday.
Besides the teachers’ quarters, the fire that started at 3.26pm also wiped out 81 homes nearby.
A total of 303 people were affected, and placed at temporary shelters at SK Karakit, Sekolah Agama Negeri Karakit and Pulau Banggi district office’s rest house.
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Kudat Fire and Rescue Zone Chief Sahidi Mahali said 15 personnel, led by its Fire and Rescue Station Chief Ishak Jabas, rushed to the scene located 40km from the station on Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (MMEA) boat and arrived 45 minutes later after being notified at 3.26pm.
The victims were temporarily placed at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Karakit, Sekolah Agama Negeri Karakit and the District Office rest house.
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According to Sahidi, the department faced complication to reach the location as there were no suitable vehicles or boats.
He also said there were discussions held with Banggi Assemblyman Mohamad Mohamari in establishing the island’s fire and rescue volunteers on Jan 10.
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