A couple’s Aidilfitri preparations were destroyed after their rented house in Dungun burned down, with new clothes and festive cookies lost in the fire

DUNGUN: A couple’s preparations for the upcoming Aidilfitri celebration were completely destroyed after their rented house in Kampung Tanah Lot here burned down this morning.

Mohd Ridzuan Abu Bakar, 36, said his plan to wear matching new red outfits with his wife Siti Zulaikha Ramli, 35, for the festive season was ruined as the clothes were lost in the 8.15 am blaze.

“We had ordered the baju Melayu and baju kurung early, before Ramadan, and were eager to wear them for Raya,” he said when met at the scene.

He added that other preparations, including various types of festive cookies and a sum of Raya money kept in the house, were also destroyed.

“Everything was gone in the blink of an eye, without a chance to save anything. We are now left with nothing,” said Mohd Ridzuan, who lives alone with his wife.

The private sector worker said he and his wife were at their respective workplaces during the incident and only learned about the fire after a friend contacted him at 8.25 am.

Meanwhile, Dungun Fire and Rescue Station Chief Deputy Superintendent II Yahaya Hanapi said they received an emergency call at 8.21 am and arrived at the location three minutes later.

He said 13 personnel from the Dungun station and eight from the Paka station were deployed with two fire engines.

“The fire was brought under control by 9.02 am and fully extinguished about 30 minutes later,” he said, adding that the semi-permanent house was almost 100% destroyed.

He stated the cause of the fire and the total losses are still under investigation.

 The Sun Malaysia