JOHOR BARU: A LAUNDRY operator lost her business when a fire destroyed her corner shop in Jalan Udan 16, Taman Perling early Monday morning.
The incident, which took place at 4am, saw flames ripping through the DriKleen Maju laundrette which had been operating for five years.
Firefighters from the Johor Baru Fire and Rescue Department rushed to the scene and managed to put out the flames in less than five minutes.
When met at the site, shop owner Syarifah Mariam Syed Abd Karim said she was devastated by the incident but was glad that no one got hurt.
“I last opened my laundrette on Saturday as we don’t operate on Sundays.
“I always make sure that all electrical switches are turned off before closing my shop.
“I’m baffled how the fire started,” she said.
Mariam estimated that her losses could amount to RM70,000 as her washing and cleaning equipment was destroyed in the flames.
“All of my customers’ clothing were also destroyed in the fire. I’m at a loss on how to give them a refund,” said a tearful Mariam.
The fire department is still in the midst of investigating the cause of the incident.