| Fizah HAB |
A FIRE occurred at Kg Pudak, Mukim Kota Batu, destroying four houses and leaving three families homeless yesterday afternoon. One of the houses was unoccupied.
The Marine Unit of the Fire and Rescue Department said that it received an emergency call at about 3.30pm and thanks to the quick response of both the department’s personnel and public, the three families managed to evacuate from their burning homes.
In an interview at 5.30pm, a senior officer from the Marine Unit of the Fire and Rescue Department Branch ‘D’ Operations said that there were no casualties despite the major damage caused by the fire.
Eighteen firefighters from the Marine, Sg Kebun and Pelancaran Fire Stations used four boats in the operation to put out the blaze.
Also at the scene were the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti Othman, as well as permanent secretaries at the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti Othman, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports speaking with one of the victims of the fire in Kg Pudak. – FIZAH HAB
A view of the scene of the fire after the blaze was brought under control by firefighters in Kg Pudak. – FIZAH HAB
In an interview with the Bulletin, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports explained the assistance the authorities will be giving to the victims. “The Community Development Department (JAPEM) will be providing the 37 victims with food packs and items such as blankets and mattresses. We will also be providing monetary assistance to the victims.”
The Acting Village Head of Kg Pudak, Shahri bin Haji Durahim said that the last time a fire occurred in Kg Pudak was in the 1980s.
Thanks to the close community ties in the village, the three families will be staying with family members and friends for the time being.
The cause of the fire and the losses are yet to be determined.