15 houses razed, 71 made homeless

Seventy-one people were made homeless when fire razed 15 houses at at Kampung Sungai Bedil here yesterday.

No one was hurt in the incident which started at about 5.00 pm. Black smoke could be seen from as far as the city center several kilometers away.

The fire at its height.

Of the 15 houses destroyed, two of them were built under the Housing for the Hardcore Poor Programme (PPRT). No one was at home when the fire started.
The fire, which is believed to have started from the middle house, may have been due to a short circuit.

A neighbour, who spotted the fire, said it spread very fast due to the wind.
Firemen, in four fire engines, arrived at the scene shortly after being alerted and managed to put the fire under control by about 7.00 pm.

According to a resident, the owner of the house, from which the fire is believed to have moved out to Kampung Rampangi in 2006. He (owner), however, did drop by once in a while to check on his house.

All 71 victims are now taking shelter at the village hall. Among those present to give support was Samariang State Assemblywomen, Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali when the press was there.