Do you know the name of this school?

02/04/2004 - Neighbourhood Watch Members in USJ23 and USJ26 may have saved the SMK USJ23 School from being completely burnt down.

It happened around 6.30pm this Friday evening during a heavy thunderstorm. A few observant residents in USJ23 noticed smoke and flames bellowing from the top floor of the school from across the Petronas Gas pipeline.

The Bomba was immediately informed, however knowing the chaotic traffic situation in USJ especially during a downpour, a few phone calls were made to our neighbours in USJ26 & USJ27 and a small group of concerned residents made their way toward the school.

The School security guard, who was totally unaware of the fire was informed and told to open the school gate. They then proceeded with fire extinguishers gathered from around the school, climbed up the 4 floors and entered the classroom where the fire was located. They managed to partially subdued the flames with the fire extinguishers, but it was not possible to completely put out the fire since it was now burning in between the ceiling and the roof, and had spread to the next classroom.

It had also become dark, and the fire had cut off the electricity so there was no light. With the help of headlamps and a spotlight from a 4x4 parked on the ground floor, these men did their best and stayed with the fire. When the Bomba finally arrived, these brave men retreated, leaving the firefighters to do their jobs.

In the meantime a small group of people had gathered, including the School Principal, Security supervisors and residents from USJ23, USJ26 and USJ27. Most other Residents were totally unaware of what had happen.

The firefighters finally broke through the ceiling boards and started to fight the fire in earnest with their water hoses. They eventually put out the flames at around 8.05pm.

Luckily it was after school hours and all the children had left and luckily we have courageous people like Ricky Lye, Barran Low, Samsad A. Khan and Roslan Ali for without them the children may not have a school to go to on Monday.

To the guys mentioned above, we are proud to have you as our neighbour.

The cause of the fire? Lightning probably.

Okay take a close look at the signboard locate at the front entrance of the school, it reads (surprise! surprise!):

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan
USJ23 Subang Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan USJ23 Subang Jaya

We have all watched as this school next to USJ23 was being built. We have followed the comings and goings of the Indonesian workers as they rushed to put the final touches to the school, planting the grass field, putting up the parameter fencing, sitting and watching us in the evenings.

Well the school was completed sometime in late 2001, but how many of the residents in USJ23 know the name of the school?

We are all so busy with our own lives that we do not ever bother, even with things that are just around us. Want to know the name of the school?

Sorry, you'll have to wait until after the 2002 Chinese New Year Holidays, so if you are curious and can't wait, drive yourself to the front gate and have a look!