The 24 bodies found on the top floor of a religious centre, Pusat Tahfiz Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah in Keramat here, which went ablaze this morning were burnt and lying on top of each other.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh said the bodies were found at two locations on the third floor of the building which was occupied by 36 students.

"Investigation found the condition of the 24 bodies was burnt and they were lying on top of one another," he told reporters after visiting the scene of the fire.

He said the religious centre only had one exit, the reason why most of the occupants were trapped and could not be saved. The fire was believed to have started at the exit.

The windows also did not have safety features that allowed for use during emergency.

Amar Singh said 14 students and four teachers managed to get out of the building on time or were rescued, with six of them reported in critical condition. All of them were sent to Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

The students at the religious centre were all boys, aged between 13 and 17.

The bodies would be sent to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification by family members and post mortem.

He said police would investigate on claims that the centre was operating without a permit.

Thirty-six students and six teachers were reported to be staying at the centre 36 students, with 34 of them, including two teachers, found burnt in the fire which broke out 5.15 am.