15 Jitra shophouses destroyed in 1am blaze

ALOR SETAR: A fire broke out early Friday morning in Jitra, resulting in the destruction of 15 shophouses. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident, according to Mohd Bustan Karudin, operations officer of the Kedah Fire and Rescue Department. The state operations center was alerted by MERS 999 at 1:25am, prompting firefighters from the Jitra and Alor Setar fire stations to be dispatched to the scene. Mohd Bustan disclosed that approximately 70% of the shophouses were destroyed by the fire. Firefighters used water from Sungai Korok as well as the fire engines’ own supply to combat the blaze. The operation received assistance from 60 volunteer firefighters from various areas, including Ayer Hitam, Tunjang, Kilang Tebu, Seberang Nyonya, Simpang Empat, Padang Sera, Kundu, Kuala Kedah, Kampung Berjaya, Kota Sarang Semut, Mergong, and Kodiang. The operation concluded at 3:20am.