Drama at the doorstep

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A COUPLE in their 80s rushed out in time from their blazing house on Jalan Gurdwara — thanks to their neighbour who shouted and knocked loudly on their door.

Both Yeoh San Hoe, 86, and Ooi Ah Lian, 82, said they were grateful to the neighbour who alerted them upon seeing thick black smoke billowing from the back of their rented house.

Ooi said she was still awake when the 1.45am fire broke out.

Quick action: Firemen climbing up ladders to put out the fire at Jalan Gurdwara

The upper floor of their double-storey house and six other houses were destroyed in the fire yesterday.

At the height of the fire, many passers-by and members of Penang Island Voluntary Patrol Unit were seen helping shop operators save their valuables and belongings.

They also helped to remove motorcycles from a motorcycle repair shop while others could be seen saving their pets from the house.

Helping hand: A resident helping fire fighters to remove a motorcycle to a safer place

Ooi said she was watching television while Yeoh was sleeping in a room on the ground floor.

“We managed to rush out from the unit unscathed. We did not manage to save any belongings as the fire was raging then. Luckily, I was awake and heard the shouts before we ran out from the house,” she said when met at the scene.

Ooi, who had been staying there for more than 60 years, said they would put up at one of their children’s home.

(from right)Yeoh and Ooi relating their ordeal after escaping from the fire with only the clothes on their back

Another victim Afzal Hossain, 35, said he suffered losses amounting to RM30,000 in the fire which destroyed his machines and equipment used for building construction.

The Bangladeshi, a building contractor who rented two of the seven houses there, said he rushed to the scene upon learning about the fire.

He said one unit was used as a store while another was rented out to a person who operates a hair salon.

Beach Street Fire Station chief Ismail Mohd Zain said they received a distress call at 2.09am and reached the scene about six minutes later.

“We managed to contain the fire at 2.26am and put it out completely at 2.38am.

“The fire is believed to have started from the back portion at one of the houses. The cause and losses have yet to be ascertained,” he said.