KUANTAN: A fire at an old two-storey building on Jalan Mahkota last night destroyed several shops and damaged others.
Pahang Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Mohd Razam Taja Rahim said an emergency call was received at 8.46pm.
“As of 10.30pm, a carpet and frame shop on the ground floor was 90 per cent destroyed. Firefighting efforts are ongoing at an association office on the upper floor and another affected shop,” he said at the scene.
No casualties were reported. The cause of the fire and the estimated losses are still under investigation.
More than 40 firefighters and officers from the Kuantan, Taman Tas, Indera Mahkota, and Gebeng fire stations were deployed to the scene.
The fire, which had not been fully extinguished as of 10.50pm, was under control and prevented from spreading to nearby buildings. The incident also caused traffic congestion as onlookers slowed down, prompting police to control the area.
Online trader Shahriza Jamil, 29, who was passing by, said he noticed sparks from the carpet shop.
“Then the flames escalated with thick smoke before more fire engines arrived. The fire later spread to the upper floor,” he said.— BERNAMA
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
