The students were from Sekolah Menengah Agama Maahad Ahmadi, Kampung Padang Siam, here.

One of the students Norfadhilah Amran, 18, said the incident occurred at 4.30am when she and two other students were sleeping in the hostel’s living room and the rest in six separate rooms.

“I heard small explosions coming from the kitchen and the fire started to spread.

“I rushed to wake up the other students,” she said when met by reporters at the scene today.

Another student, Nuradriana Muhammad Zulkifli, 18, who was still traumatised by the incident, said she failed to save her books, clothing and other important documents.

“The flames spread so fast. This is the first fire since I started staying here five years ago,” she said.

Tanah Merah Fire and Rescue Department’s Hanaffi Mohd said the fire had gutted 70% of the house when they arrived.

“Seven firemen and two engines took about 10 minutes to control the fire from spreading to other homes.

“The occupants in the house were Form One to Form Six students from the religious school, located about 500 metres away. We are still investigating the cause of the fire,” he said.