Fire in Malaysia leaves 21 residents homeless
Seven terrace houses in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia were ravaged by a fire on Monday evening (16 Dec).
The disaster left 21 residents with nothing but the clothes on their backs, as they did not have time to save their belongings.
Source: @hmetromy on TikTok
According to Penang Fire and Rescue Department Operations Commander Rafizi Arafpin, the department received a distress call at 6.40pm and initially sent one fire engine to the scene.
Firefighters had difficulty entering the area due to the narrow entrance, Harian Metro stated.
Fire took 100 firefighters to extinguish
Mr Rafizi said the operation involved 100 firefighters from several fire and rescue stations and volunteer fire brigades.
It was brought under control in 20 minutes and fully extinguished thirty minutes later.
Firefighters had to work quickly as the houses were close to each other.
“The fire department then conducted overhaul work to ensure there were no further hazards,” Mr Rafizi told local news outlet Free Malaysia Today.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the incident and the total damage.
Victims to be provided temporary housing
Meanwhile, Bukit Bendera Member of Parliament Syerleena Abdul Rashid said her team will provide emergency assistance for the victims, including temporary housing.
She said four families have been relocated to a people’s housing project in Macallum, while another was sent to one in Padang Tembak.
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Featured image adapted from @hmetromy on TikTok
