Family Left Homeless After Fire Destroys House, Vehicles In Jitra

JITRA, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- The family of ustaz Abdul Razak Saad, 48, was left stranded after their home in Taman Tunku Sarina here was destroyed in a fire earlier this afternoon.

According to Abdul Razak, he was at a neighbour's house at the time of the incident when he was informed that a fire had broken out at the front of his own home.

"Suddenly, someone told me that my house was on fire. I rushed back, but the fire spread rapidly because of the strong wind. Thankfully, my children, aged seven and 11, managed to escape safely as they were the only ones at home – my wife had gone to work," he told Bernama today.

He added that the incident happened so quickly that he was unable to salvage any belongings.

Abdul Razak said that three of his vehicles, including a new Perodua Alza, were completely destroyed in the fire, however, he is grateful that all his family members are safe.

"At the moment, my family and I are staying at a relative's house not far from here. We accept it with patience and are thankful that we are safe," said Abdul Razak, who teaches at a school in Tunjang.

Meanwhile, Jitra Fire and Rescue Station chief, Senior Assistant Fire Superintendent Mohd Bustan Karudin, said that they received a call at 1.08 pm and arrived at the scene at 1.19 pm.

He said the blaze was brought under control by 2 pm, with personnel from the Fire and Rescue Stations of Jitra and Alor Setar as well as assistance from the Kodiang and Padang Sera Volunteer Fire Brigades.

"The fire involved two houses and three cars. One house was 90 per cent destroyed, while the other house was five per cent affected," he said.

Meanwhile, the cause of the fire and the total losses are still under investigation.

-- BERNAMA