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  The only survival Guanyin statue is shining anf glowing amidst other destroyed statues. (Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

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  A century-old signboard of the ancient temple is destroyed by a fire. (Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

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  The roof of the temple collapsed after the fire. (Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

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KULIM, KEDAH: Local residents were shocked when they found a Guanyin statue actually survived amidst the other destroyed statues on the altar at a burned down ancient temple.

The roof and altar of the century-old temple were burned down at about 4am on Thursday 15 July 2010.

According to management committee chairman of the temple Guo Jianyao, some believers and committee members left about 3am and they received the news about the fire at 5am. Therefore, they believed that the fire occurred at approximately 4am.

Guo said that the fire had destroyed the century-old signboard hung above the front door before it spread across the roof and burned down the statues on the altar, cabinets and other parts of the temple, causing a loss of at least RM20,000.

He said that the Guanyin statue remained intact after the fire as if it had been covered by something during the fire. It even shined and glowed amidst the other destroyed statues and the wall behind it was not blackened by the smoke, just like the light of God that was usually seen in Chinese calligraphy.

Many residents flocked to the temple after the news about the survival Guanyin statue was spread.

Sin Chew Daily