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Thursday, September 21, 2017, 18:53
Malaysian officials say deadly school fire was arson
By Xinhua
Thursday, September 21, 2017, 18:53 By Xinhua

People gather outside an Islamic religious school which was cordoned off after a fire on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur Sept 14, 2017. Officials said the fire killed at least 24 people, mostly teenagers, who were trapped behind barred windows and a blocked exit. (PHOTO / AP)

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia's Fire and Rescue Department said Thursday the deadly religious school fire that killed 23 a week ago was an act of arson.

Two empty cylinders of liquid petroleum gas were found with their valves open

In a statement, Fire Department director-general Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said the blaze was started with petrol at the entrance to the dormitory on the third level of the building.

READ MORE: Malaysia cops arrest 7 boys linked to deadly school fire

Two empty cylinders of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) were found with their valves open, while test confirmed several samples of fire accelerant residue found in the building.

The fire quickly spread to the whole dormitory due to the liquefied petroleum gas, aided by other inflammable items within the dormitory, killings 21 students and two teachers in a short period of time.

ALSO READ: M'sia Fire triggers outrage over unregulated religious schools

"Based on the findings, the cause of incident was due to incendiary fire," he said.

The fire was reported as the worst such tragedy in two decades in Malaysia. 

Seven teenage suspects were arrested in connection with the fire.

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