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.