KUBANG PASU: It will be a bleak Hari Raya Aidiladha for a family in Kampung Pulau Nyior in Jalan Kodiang, Jitra here, after their house was destroyed in a fire this morning.
The blaze had not only left Mustafa Kamal Abu, 55, and his family with only the clothes on their back, it also partially burnt some RM3,000 cash notes he kept in the house.
According to Mustafa, who runs a clothing business with his daughter, the cash was meant to buy new supplies.
"This a great loss. I was born in this house, the same year it was built in 1967. My family has been living here ever since.
"However, I'm grateful that my wife, Fisharom Chek, 51, who was alone at home when the fire broke out, escaped unhurt," said Mustafa, who rushed home after being alerted about the fire.
Fisharom said she was about to prepare for her Dhuha prayers when she smelt something burning in the house.
She was shocked to find part of her bathroom on fire.
"I rushed to save all important documents and dashed out from the house through the backdoor.
"Coincidentally, my neighbour saw what was happening and contacted the Fire and Rescue Department," said Fisharom, who was still shaken by the incident.
Jitra Fire and Rescue Station operations officer Adnan Ahmad said they received a distress call at 9.12am today.
"We managed to control the fire from spreading to an adjacent house. The fire was fully extinguished about noon," he said.
State Women, Family and Community Development and Welfare Committee chairman Datuk Halimaton Shaadiah Saad, who visited the victims, said the Welfare Services Department had provided assistance to the family.
"I will be coordinating with the District Office and Kedah Zakat Board to help the family, including rebuilding the house.
"We have extended an offer for the family to seek temporary shelter at a transit home in Taman Pulasan, Jitra," said Halimaton, who is also Bukit Kayu Hitam assemblyman.