Former deputy minister’s house catches fire

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KUALA LUMPUR: Former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk T Murugiah suffered about RM400,000 in losses after part of his double-storey bangalow at Jalan Berlian 1, Taman Perwira Gombak, here caught fire Tuesday night.

Murugiah, 49, said part of the living room, kitchen and three bedrooms of the house were damaged in the 8.30 pm incident, believed to be caused by short circuit.

He told reporters today that at the time of the fire, he and his family and their maid were on their way to the KL International Airport to pick up his third son who had just arrived from London.

The family which at that time had reached Jalan Ampang, immediately rushed home after being informed by his security guard about the fire, he added.

Murugiah said the fire was already put out by firefighters and neighbours when they reached home.

He said for the moment, the family would put up at a hotel and look for a rented house while waiting for the house, which they had just moved in a year ago, to be repaired.

Meanwhile, Gombak deputy police chief Supt Rosly Hassan when contacted said no foul play was suspected in the case.

A Selangor Fire and Rescue Department spokeperson when contacted said the department received a call at 8.50pm and two fire engines from the Selayang and Gombak Selatan fire stations were deployed to the scene. The fire was under control at 10.38pm.

The fire was believed to be caused by short circuit, he said. – Bernama