KUANTAN: Irreplaceable objects of cultural heritage went up in smoke when several shops in a two-storey row of Colonial-era building on Jalan Mahkota caught fire on Tuesday (Sept 9) night.
Chairman of the Kuantan Kwong Siew Association, located on the upper floor, Cheong Lai Chee, 65, said notably a set of century-old chairs and a rare Chinese typewriter with Mandarin characters were razed in the fire.
She said the four chairs and the typewriter were priceless as they had been brought to Malaya by former members of the association.
"Other items destroyed in the blaze were books, documents, old association magazines and photographs.
"No one was in the building at the time because we only operate during working hours,” she told reporters.
Cheong said the extent of losses has yet to be determined, pending a review of the association’s assets by its accountant.
She said the devastating incident also affected the 126-year-old association, which currently has more than 1,300 members, as well as their preparations for their annual Lantern Festival, scheduled for next month.
"We usually hold a dinner by inviting all our esteemed members, but it seems like the gala has to be cancelled,” she said.
Another victim, second-hand shoe shop operator Ahmad Syukri Mazlan, 33, estimated his losses at RM200,000.
He said the fire broke out at about 8.30pm, after he had finished performing Isyak prayers at the back of his shop.
"I heard a sound like a collapse from the back store. At first, I thought it was people working, but soon after, a neighbour shouted there was a fire. I rushed to save whatever items I could.
"Only about a quarter of the shoes were saved, the rest were either burned or damaged by water,” he said.
"So far, the fire department has not conducted a loss assessment at my shop. The fire is believed to have originated from a carpet shop next door,” he said.
Ahmad Syukri hopes to resume business at the same location if it is certified safe.
Yesterday, the media reported that it took over 40 firefighters to douse the inferno till midnight. — Bernama
