Two families in Johor have lost their homes and all their Aidilfitri preparations after a fire destroyed three houses in Kampung Plentong Baru.

JOHOR BAHRU: Two families have lost all their Hari Raya Aidilfitri preparations after a fire razed three semi-permanent houses in Kampung Plentong Baru, Masai, this morning.

The blaze was discovered by Muhammad Hazin Batrun, 32, who noticed an unusual heat from a wall in his home at about 11.15am.

Muhammad Hazin looked out a window to see a neighbour’s house behind his own engulfed in flames, prompting him to shout for his wife and daughter to evacuate immediately.

“It was fortunate he noticed it early or else the outcome could have been tragic,” his wife, Siti Robaizura Ibrahim, 32, told Bernama at the scene.

The fire spread rapidly, destroying the homes of Siti Robaizura, her sister Siti Rozana Ibrahim, 43, and a third neighbouring property.

Siti Robaizura estimated her family’s losses, including new clothing, festive cookies and cash for duit raya, at over RM2,000.

The families managed to save three cars and remove gas cylinders from the properties to prevent potential explosions.

Siti Rozana said her family’s losses exceeded RM3,000, covering recent home renovations and all their purchased festive groceries.

“My eldest son, Mohamad Fazrieq Danish, 18, broke down seeing our home destroyed,” Siti Rozana added.

Her 17-year-old son was also traumatised to find his school books and supplies destroyed upon returning home.

The victims are now seeking temporary shelter at the nearby Permas Community Hall.

The Johor State Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call about the incident at 11.41am.

Firefighters arrived at the scene five minutes later to find all three houses fully engulfed in flames.

Personnel and vehicles from the Johor Jaya, Pasir Gudang and Mount Austin Volunteer fire stations worked to extinguish the blaze.

The cause of the fire and the total estimated losses are still under investigation.

 The Sun Malaysia