KEPALA BATAS: The sahur (pre-dawn meal) for four families in Permatang Kerai Besar here turned tragic when their homes were destroyed in a fire early Sunday (Feb 22).
Penang Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division Assistant Director John Sagun Francis said the fire involved four houses, each sustaining about 80% damage. He said the close proximity of the houses contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
"A total of 21 occupants were affected, three from the first house, five from the second, seven from the third and six from the fourth. All of them survived,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
He said the department received an emergency call at 5:06am and immediately deployed 27 personnel, along with six fire engines from the Kepala Batas, Butterworth, Tasek Gelugor, and Sungai Bakap fire stations, to the scene.
Several vehicles parked in front of the houses were also destroyed.
Two sedans and a four-wheel-drive (4WD) belonging to occupants of the second house were about 90% burnt, while five motorcycles at the fourth house were also 90% destroyed.
John said firefighters employed both defensive and offensive strategies, including creating a fire break to prevent the blaze from spreading further.
The fire was brought under control at 6am and fully extinguished at 6.56am. Firefighters then carried out overhaul works to ensure there were no remaining hotspots before concluding operations at 9.32am.
The scene has been handed over to the Fire Investigation Team for further action, while the cause of the fire and the total losses are still under investigation. — Bernama
