KEPALA BATAS, Feb 22 — The “sahur” or pre-dawn meal for four families in Permatang Kerai Besar here turned tragic when their homes were destroyed in a fire early today.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director John Sagun Francis said the department received an emergency call at 5.06am.
It immediately deployed 27 personnel, along with six fire engines from the Kepala Batas, Butterworth, Tasek Gelugor, and Sungai Bakap fire stations, to the scene.
The fire involved four Class B houses, each sustaining about 80 per cent damage. Several vehicles parked in front of the houses were also destroyed.
“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 today.
He said the close proximity of the houses contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
Two Proton Exora cars and a Ford Ranger belonging to occupants of the second house were about 90 per cent burnt, while five motorcycles at the fourth house were also 90 per cent 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.
