Pre-war shoplots over 100 years old gutted in Kuantan fire

KUANTAN, September 2 — A pair of century-old shopfronts on Jalan Mahkota in Kuantan suffered extensive damage from a fire last night. Flames engulfed the upper floor of a clothing store, with embers spreading to the adjoining building. Datuk Mohd Razam Taja Rahim, director of the Pahang Fire and Rescue Department, reported the blaze was detected at 11:33 pm and the Kuantan fire station was the first on the scene.

The fire department arrived to find the upper floor alight and the adjacent area on fire as well. He stated that an inspection revealed the fire was confined to the upper floor of the clothing store, believed to be the point of origin. The ground level sustained minimal damage. Efforts to extinguish the fire continue to prevent any rekindling and eliminate embers.

At present, there are no casualties reported. The Fire Investigation Unit is still investigating the origin and extent of the losses. Both structures are thought to be over 100 years old and predominantly constructed of timber, which contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The firefighting and rescue operation involved personnel from 33 fire stations in Kuantan, Indera Mahkota, Gebeng, Taman Tas, and Peramu.

The clothing store owner, Norhan Mohd Nor, 51, learned of the fire around 11:30 pm and reached the premises within 15 minutes. He recounted the shop as a distribution hub for his two clothing outlets in Kuantan, which had also been holding a substantial amount of new inventory for the festive season. "We've lost a lot," Norhan said.