Fire Kills 30 Pet Cats After Tarawih Prayers

PASIR MAS, March 13 (Bernama) -- A family in Kampung Paloh Hilir, near Tendong, here not only lost their home and preparations for their son’s engagement, but they also endured profound heartbreak when 30 of their pet cats perished in a fire that destroyed their home last night.

The fire, which occurred at about 9.30 pm after Tarawih prayers, destroyed the house belonging to the family of eight, along with two cars, three motorcycles and various valuables, with total losses estimated at over RM100,000.

Homeowner Nurul Rizan Bujang, 48, said most of their pet cats were inside the house at the time of the incident and could not be rescued as the fire spread rapidly.

“My children really love cats, and these pets would gather inside the house at night. Last night, we did not have time to save them,” she said when met at the village.

During the incident, she and her husband, Zafri Abdullah, 47, were in Pasir Pekan, Tumpat, and they were informed about the fire by their second child, Mohd Aizat Azmi, 27.

Mohd Aizat, who was at home with two of his younger siblings, including 13-year-old sister Nur Alisa, who has Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, injured his right foot after stepping on burning embers while escaping the house with his siblings.

Nurul Rizan said the fire also destroyed various belongings, including jewellery sets and engagement trays prepared for Mohd Aizat’s engagement ceremony scheduled to take place after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

“After receiving the call from my son, we rushed home and found that the house had already been razed, together with five vehicles,” she said.

Meanwhile, Wakaf Bharu Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Nasrin Ismail said the department received an emergency call at 9.56 pm.

He said 16 firefighters from the Wakaf Bharu BBP, assisted by personnel from the Tunjong BBP, were dispatched to the scene.

“Upon arrival, we found that the fire had destroyed the house. The blaze was fully extinguished at 12.10 am.

“The fire spread quickly because the house was made of wood. The cause of the incident is still under investigation,” he also said,

-- BERNAMA