马来西亚宗教学校起火，至少24人丧生

An early morning fire at a private religious school in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur killed 24 people Thursday.

Fire officials say the pre-dawn blaze at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah broke out in the top floor of the dormitory building where the students were sleeping. The victims -- 22 boys between the ages of 13 and 17, and two adult teachers -- were unable to escape because the only entrance to the sleeping quarters was blocked by the fire, and the windows covered by iron grills.

Witnesses say the students could be heard screaming for help as the fire raged. Fire officials say they likely died of smoke inhalation.

Eighteen other residents in the school were rescued, with six of them hospitalized in critical condition.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but officials believe it was started by an electrical short circuit.

马来西亚首都吉隆坡一所私人宗教学校星期四凌晨起火，造成24人丧生。

消防官员说，这起拂晓前发生的火灾是在学校宿舍楼顶楼发生的，遇难者包括22个年龄在13到17岁之间的男学生和两名老师。因为通往宿舍的唯一出口被大火封死，而窗户上又安装了铁栅栏，所以他们无法逃生。

目击者说，随着火势的蔓延，他们可以听到学生的呼叫声。消防官员说，遇难者可能是因为吸入浓烟而死。

学校里另外18个人获得营救，其中6人住院治疗，情况危急。

起火原因目前还在调查之中，但是有关官员相信，火是电线短路引起的。