KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty six people from four families were displaced when their rented houses in Kampung Malaysia, Sungai Besi here was razed last night.
The 11pm blaze at Jalan 13/141 is believed to have started from an air conditioning unit at one of the houses.
Cheras police chief Assistant Commissioner Chong Kok Sin said the incident involved a row of semi-wooden houses.
"Police received a call on the incident at 11pm, before a team was dispatched to the location.
"When police arrived, a team of firefighters was already there and they were working to control the raging fire.
"A witness told police that he saw the fire started from an air conditioning unit at a house lived by a family of seven.
"Luckily, all the victims managed to escape unhurt," he said.
Chong said the victims were taken to a community hall in the village, which was turned into a temporary shelter.
He said the affected victims were a 45-year-old contractor and his four family members, a teacher's family of seven, a 47-year-old widow's family of nine and a 39-year-old businessman's family of five.
Meanwhile, city Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Azizan Ismail said a team of five firemen from the Sungai Besi fire station were first rushed to the scene after receiving a call 10.50pm, before two other teams from Hang Tuah and Cheras stations were dispatched to assist.