Burning Paper Pile Sparked Blaze That Destroyed 27 Gok Kapur Houses

KOTA BHARU, June 24 (Bernama) -- The fire that destroyed 27 houses in Kampung Gok Kapur here on June 8 was caused by the burning of a pile of papers in the kitchen of one of the affected houses, the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) said.

Kelantan JBPM director, Farhan Sufyan Borhan, said the department’s Fire Investigation Forensic Unit had revealed that the fire resulted from an open flame source used to directly burn a pile of papers in the kitchen area. 

He said findings from physical evidence and recorded statements showed that the fire originated from a gas lighter applied to the pile of papers to burn them directly in the kitchen of one of the houses.

"This caused surrounding flammable materials to catch fire before it spread to other parts of the structure, including nearby houses," he told Bernama here.

According to him, the investigation also confirmed that the cause of the fire was due to negligence while the burning activity was being carried out. 

"Following this, the investigation report will be handed over to the police or any relevant authorities for further action if necessary. We would also like to advise the public to be cautious when using open flame sources and to avoid any burning activities inside or near residential areas that could pose a fire risk," he said.

In the fire incident, a total of 110 villagers were left homeless and forced to seek shelter at a temporary evacuation center at the nearby Mukim Banggol Mosque, though no casualties were reported.

-- BERNAMA