The trio, who were among the 30 orphans at Wisma Yatim Perempuan Pulau Pinang, was rushed to the Penang Hospital for treatment after the rafters fell on them. The remaining 27 escaped unscathed in the 9.42 pm incident.

The victims are believed to have suffered spinal and head trauma, the fire department said.

Warden Noor Niah told reporters the trio were sleeping in the dorm when it happened. The others were either having supper or attending classes in another section of the orphanage.

Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, who visited the site earlier, said nine of the orphans would be sitting for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination trials today.

He said firemen had declared the building unsafe.

Ng said the students would be temporarily relocated to the Seameo-Recsam building in Gelugor before being relocated to the Muslim Boys’ Orphanage at Jalan Air Itam.

The 1,500 sq ft dorm and adjoining buildings were built in 1984.