Nine people escape as fire razes three homes

 

The fire was brought under control by 8.13pm and no casualties were reported. NSTP/ ZAID SALIM

KUALA TERENGGANU: Nine people, including a two-month-old baby, escaped a fire that destroyed three houses in Kampung Kubang Buyong, Chabang Tiga, last night.

The 7.50pm blaze left two families homeless, with two of the houses 80 per cent destroyed and a third sustaining five per cent damage.

Victim Najihah Razed, 41, said she was resting with her family when they heard a loud explosion.

"I thought there was an accident, but when I rushed out, I saw thick smoke coming from my uncle's house next door.

"In a panic, I went back inside to rescue my mother and told the others to run to safety. After getting my mother out, I tried to go back for our belongings, but the flames were already spreading across the bedroom walls."

Najihah said she was grateful that her mother, Putong Husain, 71, her younger sibling, and her two children, aged four years and two months, were unharmed.

The explosion is believed to have been caused by a cooking gas cylinder at her uncle's house.

The victims were unable to save any belongings and were left with only the clothes on their backs.

Kuala Terengganu Fire and Rescue Station chief Thoyyibah Taib said 20 firefighters from the Kuala Terengganu and Jalan Kota stations were deployed to the scene.

Upon arrival, the fire was raging, but firefighters managed to prevent it from spreading to other houses despite strong winds.

Thoyyibah said the fire was brought under control by 8.13pm and no casualties were reported.

The cause of the fire and the total losses are still being investigated - NST