Fire robs 16 families of festive joy

SHAH ALAM: The joy of celebrating Chinese New Year for 16 families in the Bagan Hailam fishing village, Port Klang near here, came to an abrupt end when their homes were destroyed in a fire about 10pm Sunday night.

The incident involving 70 people occurred when most of them were with their families and relatives warmly celebrating the Year of the Dog and holding open houses.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Head of Operations Management and Station, Alimaddia Bukri said he received an emergency call on the incident at 10.25pm and 42 personnel were deployed to the scene.

“Firefighters had difficulty in controlling the fire as the houses were wooden houses, besides being placed close to each other. They were also forced to use the tanker lorry and take water from the nearby factory fire hydrant,” he said when contacted.

Alimaddia said there was no casualty and the fire was completely put out by midnight.

Fourteen houses were completely destroyed in the fire and the cause of the incident was still under investigation," he said.

Meanwhile, one of the victims claimed to have heard three loud explosions before the flames started to engulf the houses.

Loo Tien Seong, 55, said when he was with his four family members at home watching television when he heard the explosion.

“When I heard the loud sounds, my wife and I went out to see what happened and there was a house at the end of the stretch that had already caught fire.

“My wife and I then quickly sent my two siblings and mother out of the house to save themselves, and I could only grab a few important documents like birth certificates out of the house.”