ALOR SETAR: Four factories at the Taman Makmur Industrial Park here have caught fire, with two almost completely destroyed.
Kedah Fire and Rescue Department director Awang Hidzel Awang Bujang said the blaze on Tuesday (July 28) morning involved a candle factory, two garment factories and a box factory.
He said the candle and box factories sustained about 90% damage, while the two garment factories were about 60% destroyed.
He said the department received an emergency call at 6.57am, with the first fire engine arriving at the scene at 7.14am.
"The response time was affected by the distance and heavy traffic as many road users were travelling to work," he said.
Awang Hidzel said the operation involved personnel from four fire stations, including Kulim, Kulim Hi-Tech and Penang and assisted by 16 volunteer fire brigades.
"A total of 114 personnel were deployed. We managed to bring the fire under control at 9.20am, about two hours and six minutes after the operation began," he said.
He said strong winds and the presence of highly combustible materials posed challenges to firefighters.
"We have been successfully prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring factories.
"The fire is believed to have originated from the candle and prayer equipment factory," he said.
No casualties were reported during the incident and the cause of the fire is being investigated
