A morning fire in Seremban has destroyed eight houses, leaving 51 residents homeless and causing losses estimated at over RM300,000 for one family.
SEREMBAN: Eight houses were destroyed in a morning fire at Batu 9, Jalan Labu here today.
The blaze, which started at 9.18 am, completely razed eight homes and damaged another by 30%.
Seremban 2 Fire and Rescue Department senior operations commander Yusri Abdullah Sani confirmed all 51 residents escaped safely without injury.
He said the victims are now being accommodated at the temporary evacuation centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Labu.
The fire was brought under control by 10.10 am, with overhaul operations continuing to prevent a recurrence.
The cause of the fire and total estimated losses are still under investigation.
A total of 26 personnel from the Seremban 2 and Nilai fire stations, supported by the Pelegong Volunteer Fire Brigade, responded to the incident.
They were aided by seven fire engines, including two Fire Rescue Tender units, an Emergency Medical Services Unit and a water tanker.
One victim, S. Lethchumy, 73, said she suffered losses estimated at over RM300,000.
Her losses included savings of RM40,000 and several pieces of jewellery.
“At the time of the incident, I was preparing breakfast when I suddenly smelled smoke and saw flames coming from the kitchen wall,” she said.
“Everything happened very quickly. We did not manage to save any belongings.”
Lethchumy said she immediately shouted for her children and two grandchildren to escape the house.
She added that the incident compounded the hardship she had endured following the loss of her eldest child in December 2023.
