Woman killed in blaze at shophouse in Ipoh (Updated)

IPOH: One woman was killed in a pre-dawn fire at a shophouse in Greentown here Monday.

A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the victim, Norhashimah Mohd Ismail, 48, died on the spot while another, 17-year-old Siti Nur Ayu Jamal, survived the fire with minor injuries.

He said the department received a call about the fire at the shop behind the Employees' Providence Fund building around 4.45am.

"When we arrived at the scene, we were told there were still people inside.

"The fire-fighting operation is still underway," he said, adding that firetrucks from the Ipoh and Simpang Pulai fire stations have been deployed.

Earlier, it was reported that two people were believed to be trapped inside the burning shophouse.