Yesterday, we reported of two sisters perishing in a fire that engulfed their family home in Johor on Monday night, a tragedy which left their parents inconsolable.
While authorities work to determine what caused the fire, it is believed that the sisters’ escape were prevented by metal grilles fitted into the windows of their room at the upper floor.
Somber mood at funeral
Following the tragedy, the headmistress of the secondary school that the sisters attended went to the wake service held last night to pay their final respects.
Speaking to Sin Chew Daily, the headmistress, Zheng Meizhen (transliteration), said the mid-year examinations had just concluded last month, and that the sisters’ mother had requested their exercise books, exam papers, and other school materials be given to her.
I later met the girls’ parents and handed the schoolwork to their mother. When she saw the materials, she broke down crying. It was really heartbreaking.
“Furthermore, the sisters had actually planned to hang out with their classmates before the school holidays began, making the tragedy such a shock for everyone,” she added.
Zheng added that counselling will be provided to students once classes resume as some were shaken by the incident.
Future prevention
When asked whether the school is looking to organise talks to strengthen students’ awareness of emergency preparedness and self-rescue, Zheng said the school conducts annual fire drills and invites Fire and Rescue Department personnel to teach students how to extinguish fires and evacuate safely.
However, Zheng added that the school has no plans to discuss or emphasise on disaster-prevention education for the moment as the sisters’ family is still in grieving.
The funeral is scheduled to be held today.
Our condolences to the victims’ family for their loss.
