GEORGE TOWN: Two residential buildings and 37 guest houses were destroyed in a fire at Kampung Belacan, Batu Feringghi here on Saturday.
EXTINGUISHED: Firefighter extinguishing the fire that destroyed two residential buildings and 37 guest houses in Kampung Belacan, Batu Feringgi. — Bernama photo
State Fire and Rescue Department (Operation) deputy director, Mohd Razam Taja Rahim, said 35 firemen in six fire engines rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call about 11.40am.
“When firemen arrived, the fire was at its peak and was spreading fast because of the wooden structure of the buildings,” he told reporters at the scene.
He said the firemen took about an hour to douse the flame, adding that there was no report of a casualty in the fire.
Most of the occupants at the guest houses were out on a tour or were at the Batu Feringghi beach, he added.
He said the department was assessing the damage and cause of the fire.
Owner of the Bayu Senja guest houses, Maznil Pakir, said the fire spread so fast that he nor his guests were able to salvage their belongings.
“I have lost everything that I have built since 10 years ago,” he added.
He estimated his losses at more than RM500,000.
Meanwhile, G Shanta, an agent of a tour agency who took a group of tourists to the guest houses, said the passports belonging to the tourists were destroyed in the fire.
“Their passports were in my room which was also destroyed in the fire,” he added.
The fire caused a massive traffic jam in the area. — Bernama