IPOH: "The lights on part of the second floor went out, while others flickered before also going out".
A security guard at the Mydin Hypermarket in Kampung Manjoi described the moments before the fire at around 6.50pm yesterday.
The incident led maintenance technicians to investigate the cause of the light issues, discovering a fire in the storage area on the second floor of the hypermarket, the guard who refused to be named said.
The management promptly instructed visitors to evacuate and prevented new customers from entering, he added.
"About 15 to 20 minutes later, after everyone successfully left, the fire began to engulf the hypermarket building.
"The fire was accompanied by explosions," he said.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department director, Sayani Saidon, confirmed receiving a call on the incident at 7.09pm.
"Initial information indicated smoke emerging from the main switchboard room on the second floor.
"The management took immediate action to evacuate the hypermarket," he said.
Sayani explained that the firefighting operation faced challenges due to various materials categorised as 'fire load', including fabric, electrical appliances, stored items, and solar panels generating electricity for the premises.
The operation was further complicated by structural collapses caused by the intense flames, making offensive firefighting challenging. Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) equipment was used for defensive firefighting from the rooftop.
Initially, the strategy involved sending 10 members to extinguish the fire from inside.
"However, a structural collapse occurred, forcing the evacuation of the firefighting team. The strategy was adjusted to a defensive approach, considering the unsafe building structure," he said.
A total of 123 personnel including 70 firefighters, 22 police officers, and members from various other were involved in the firefighting operation. As of 12.55am, the fire was still being extinguished, but considered under control.