SUNGAI PETANI: The identity of a motorcyclist who sounded his horn repeatedly to alert the occupants of a house on fire remains a mystery, but his quick-thinking action saved a family of six – and possibly more – from a fiery fate.
Md Razzi Hassan, 71, said when the fire broke out at his house in Taman Sri Impian, Sidam Kiri near here, he and five others in his family were sound asleep early Wednesday (Nov 22).
"We heard a motorcycle honking outside the house ... we were awakened and rushed out to save ourselves when we realised the house was on fire," he said here, adding that he had lived in the house for almost 40 years.
Another victim, Mohd Hariz Hazwan Abdul Aziz, 34, said he was awoken by an explosion from the house next door.
"I didn't have time to find the house keys so I climbed over the fence to escape," he said, adding that he suffered shortness of breath and was sent to Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim (HSAH) for outpatient treatment.
Sungai Petani Fire and Rescue Station chief Deputy Fire Superintendent Ismail Mohd Zain, said they received a call about the fire at 2.49 am.
"There were five houses in total that caught fire, four of which were 90% destroyed."
Kuala Muda Civil Defence Force officer Captain Azahar Ahmad said 20 fire victims from six families were put up at a temporary evacuation centre at Taman Sri Impian hall at 9am.
"All families were given emergency food aid kits... The situation was brought under control and no one was injured," he said. – Bernama
