Fire Which Killed 4 Ipoh Students On Their First Day Of Work Likely Caused By Fireworks

New Straits Times reported that the shophouse was home to an event management business which supplied equipments such as canopies, PA systems, and lighting.

The victims have since been identified in Malay Mail as 40-year-old P. Thiagarajun, who is believed to be the owner of the business, while the other victims are his five part-time workers:
- Mohd Nor Aiman Abdul Rahman, 16,
- Mohamad Nor Ikram Mohd Husni, 15,
- Mohd Ikhmal Izzudin Mohd Kamari, 16,
- Ahmad Faizal Amiruddin, 16, and
- Mohamad Azhar Shah Rosli, 19.

Perak CID chief Senior Asst Comm Yahya Abd Rahman said, "The four students were on their first day at work yesterday (11 December). They were trying to earn some pocket money during the school holidays, but the tragedy occurred, it's very unfortunate."

Channel NewsAsia reported that eyewitnesses said there were "a series of explosions before the fire broke out at 1.55pm".

The police reported that the bodies of the victims were so badly burnt beyond recognition, showing the strength of the explosion.

Meanwhile, a local fire and rescue official said the victims' bodies were found at various spots in the premise, indicating that they tried to escape. 

In a Malay Mail report yesterday, 12 December, Yahya revealed that the bodies of the victims had traces of sulphur and fireworks residue on them.

It was noted in a Channel NewsAsia report that the neighbouring shophouse is occupied by a firecrackers and fireworks supplier.

Yahya added that the police will investigate if the burnt shophouse had been used to store some of the explosives belonging to its neighbour.

The case is being investigated under for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Their bodies were laid to rest at the Kuala Pari cemetery.

Meanwhile, family members of Thiagarajun will lay him to rest in Buntong, a suburb in Ipoh.