A security guard and three other families were left with nothing after a fire destroyed four houses behind UTC Ampangan in Seremban.
SEREMBAN: Wearing only shorts and barefoot, a security guard had to flee for his life when his rented house was among four units razed by a fire in Ampangan here yesterday.
Othman Ibrahim, 57, who had been renting the house for five years, said at about 7 pm, he had just returned from work and was in the kitchen preparing food and feeding his 10 cats when he caught a whiff of something burning.
“The smell grew stronger before I realised the front part of the house was on fire, with thick black smoke beginning to fill the area. I immediately ran outside in my shorts and barefoot.
“I did not have time to retrieve any valuables, including important documents such as my identity card, bank cards and driving licence. Everything was burnt to ashes. My losses are estimated at more than RM5,000,” he told reporters at the temporary evacuation centre at Gedong Lalang community hall here today.
The same fate befell cargo handler Mohd Hasrun Abd Rahman, 46, who was at home with his wife and child. They initially thought the black smoke was coming from rubbish being burnt outside before realising that three neighbouring houses were on fire.
Mohd Hasrun said his wife only managed to retrieve important documents from their bedroom, while he grabbed his wallet before the family fled as they saw the fire spreading.
“At this point, we hope someone can help us find an affordable rental home and provide essential items so that we can get on with our lives,” said Mohd Hasrun, who moved from Sabah to Seremban in August.
Meanwhile, Seremban District Social Welfare Department (JKM) community development assistant officer Rapidah Mohd Peril said three families comprising eight victims, including two girls aged three and 10, were placed at the evacuation centre for initial assistance.
She said following a visit by Ampangan state assemblyman Datuk Dr Mohamad Rafie Ab Malek, the victims will be relocated to a homestay where they will be staying for three days. They will only need to go to the evacuation centre during the day for meals.
“We will continue operating until the victims have secured new accommodation, subject to further instructions. In the meantime, all their needs, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, will be provided here,” she said.
Rapidah said JKM is also providing psychological support and crisis intervention to help the victims cope with the emotional trauma of losing their homes and belongings.
Yesterday, it was reported that four houses located behind the Ampangan Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) here were almost completely destroyed in the fire, but no casualties were reported.
