Malaysia teens charged with murder over school fire

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Malaysian teenagers were charged with murder Thursday in connection with a fire that killed 23 children and teachers at an Islamic school this month, reports AFP.

The pair, who cannot be named because they are aged under 18, were also charged with drug abuse along with four other suspects.

Police arrested seven suspects, all aged 12 to 18, after the blaze -- the country's worst for two decades -- that gutted the school on September 14 in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The seventh suspect was released for lack of evidence, state prosecutors said.

Twenty-one students, all boys aged six to 16, and two teachers died as the inferno engulfed the religious school's dormitory just before dawn.

Malaysian police believe the fire was deliberately started using gas canisters after the suspects had a disagreement with the school's pupils.

The building's only exit was blocked by fire and the windows were barred with security grilles, preventing escape.

Malaysia teens charged with murder over school fire

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Malaysian teenagers were charged with murder Thursday in connection with a fire that killed 23 children and teachers at an Islamic school this month, reports AFP. The pair, who cannot be named because they are aged under 18, were also charged with drug abuse along with four other suspects. Police arrested seven suspects, all aged 12 to 18, after the blaze -- the countrys worst for two decades -- that gutted the school on September 14 in the capital Kuala Lumpur. The seventh suspect was released for lack of evidence, state prosecutors said. Twenty-one students, all boys aged six to 16, and two teachers died as the inferno engulfed the religious schools dormitory just before dawn. Malaysian police believe the fire was deliberately started using gas canisters after the suspects had a disagreement with the schools pupils. The buildings only exit was blocked by fire and the windows were barred with security grilles, preventing escape.