Fire destroys 17 shoplots in Batu Pahat's Pekan Semerah

 

At least 17 of 19 wooden shoplots, some over 40 years old, were destroyed in a fire at Pekan Semerah this evening. NSTP/ALIAS ABD RANI

BATU PAHAT: At least 17 of 19 wooden shoplots, some over 40 years old, were destroyed in a fire at Pekan Semerah this evening.

The fire, which started around 7pm, left dozens of occupants with nothing but the clothes on their backs after they failed to salvage their belongings.

Initial reports suggest that the fire may have broken out at a tailor shop before quickly spreading to adjacent premises.

Within 10 minutes, flames engulfed most of the two-storey shoplots, built entirely from wood.

At the time of the incident, many of the shops were still open for business and were scheduled to close only at 8pm.

Nearby residents saw black smoke and flames rising and fled the area. The fire forced closure of the road linking Batu Pahat and Muar to facilitate firefighting.

Batu Pahat Fire and Rescue Department chief Ayub Majid said they received a distress call at 7.02pm.

"A total of 20 personnel from Batu Pahat and Penggaram fire stations were deployed to the scene. Firefighting operations are still underway as the blaze involved several double-storey wooden shoplots," he said. - NST