Hypermarket fire contained with no casualties

Source: The Star

IPOH: A fire that broke out at the Mydin hypermarket in Manjoi has been successfully contained, says the Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).

Director Sayani Saidon confirmed that there were no casualties reported, according to Bernama.

"We are still in the process of dousing the fire, but the blaze has been brought under control," she said during a press conference here on Sunday, Bernama reported.

Earlier, JBPM assistant director (operations) Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said that an emergency call was received at 7.09pm.

A team of firefighters from the Ipoh Fire and Rescue Station was dispatched to the scene.

"The Fire and Rescue Department received a call stating that smoke was seen in the Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) switch room before the fire broke out on the upper floor," he said.

Initially, there was no visible fire upon their arrival at 7.25pm, but smoke was observed emanating from the main switchboard.

However, within 20 minutes, a fire broke out on the roof of the building, necessitating a rapid response to extinguish it, Sayani said.

She added that the operation involved 123 firefighters from JBPM, Rela and the General Operations Force.

They were assisted by TNB, Lembaga Air Perak, Mydin staff, Manjoi assemblyman Hafez Sabri and the Tambun parliamentary constituency service centre.

"Despite the challenges posed by the fast-spreading blaze, the collective efforts of the responders managed to bring the situation under control," she said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, pending the forensic report.

A Mydin worker who witnessed the incident recounted that a small fire started at a store on the second floor around 6.45pm.

There was an explosion an hour later and the fire started spreading, she said.

"All staff members and workers were directed to vacate the building and to gather at a safe place," she added.