Perak: The Works Ministry, through the Public Works Department (JKR), is prepared to extend technical advisory services to the Ministry of Education (MOE) to assess the structural safety of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Lahat in Perak, which was affected by a fire incident yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, emphasized the necessity of conducting a comprehensive structural evaluation to ensure the building’s safety prior to the commencement of any restoration work. He affirmed the ministry’s commitment to collaborating closely with the MOE and other relevant agencies to prioritize the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and school personnel.

The fire occurred in the morning and impacted the roof of seven classrooms on the third floor of Block D, resulting in approximately 30 percent damage. Emergency response teams were on the scene within three minutes of receiving the alert and managed to control the blaze in just over an hour. Fortunately, there were no injuries or casualties reported.

Nanta also mentioned that the investigation is currently underway, led by the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM). The affected area remains restricted under the authorities’ control to ensure safety and facilitate a thorough investigation. He expressed appreciation to the Perak JBPM, particularly the teams from the Pasir Putih and Batu Gajah fire stations, for their prompt and professional handling of the situation.

He concluded by extending gratitude to all parties involved in the operation and expressed hope for smooth proceedings in the aftermath of the incident.