A fire tore through a residential area at Batu 9, Jalan Labu, here this morning, destroying eight houses and affecting a total of 51 residents.
Seremban 2 Fire and Rescue Department senior operations commander Yusri Abdullah Sani said the blaze broke out at about 9.18am. Eight houses were completely destroyed, while another suffered partial damage estimated at around 30 per cent.
“All residents managed to escape safely and no injuries were reported,” he said, adding that those affected have been relocated to a temporary evacuation centre at SK Labu.
Firefighters brought the fire under control by 10.10am, and overhaul works are continuing to prevent any possible re-ignition. The cause of the fire and the total losses are still being investigated.
The firefighting operation involved 26 personnel from the Seremban 2, Nilai and Pelegong Volunteer Fire Brigade, supported by seven fire engines, including Fire Rescue Tender units, an Emergency Medical Services unit and a water tanker.
One of the victims, 73-year-old S. Lethchumy, said she suffered losses exceeding RM300,000, including RM40,000 in savings and several pieces of jewellery.
She recounted that she was preparing breakfast when she suddenly smelled smoke and noticed flames emerging from the kitchen wall.
“Everything happened so fast. We couldn’t save anything. I immediately told my children and two grandchildren to get out of the house,” she said.
Lethchumy added that the tragedy has further deepened her hardship, as she is still grieving the loss of her eldest child in December last year.
