HUSMIATI Ali could only watch in horror as the house she called home for the last 19 years went up in smoke in Kampung Bahagia Tambahan in Segambut, here, yesterday.
The 38-year-old Indonesian was among 250 people who were left homeless after a fire razed 20 houses and 30 squatter homes in the noon blaze.
"I lost RM5,000 worth of jewellery which I had been keeping to take back home and some money, too," the distraught woman said.
She said that she and her 11 housemates heard about the fire while they were at work nearby and rushed home.
"I don't know what to do now."
Saiful Bahri, 18, said his family lost a sundry shop along with their home in the fire.
"I was at work when I heard about the fire.
I rushed home and I just could not believe my eyes," he said, adding that his estimated losses were about RM20,000.
Saiful's parents and two older siblings, who were at home at the time, managed to save only their important documents.
City Fire and Rescue Department enforcement assistant M. Letchumanan said the cause of the fire was still being investigated, although it was believed that the fire started in one of the squatter houses.
He said no casualties were reported.
Some 90 firemen fought the blaze, but their efforts were hampered by low water pressure and the absence of a fire hydrant in the area. They had to use water from a nearby river.
The victims are housed temporarily at the Dewan Seri Delima behind the Brem Mall.
A blaze yesterday morning left close to 20 people homeless and destroyed 27 vehicles which were kept for repairs at a workshop in Jalan Usahawan, Setapak.
Setapak Fire and Rescue station chief Suki Annuar said no casualties were reported, but they were still trying to ascertain the cause of the blaze.
"The fire was put out in 30 minutes. Initial investigations showed that it could have started from a mosquito coil."
He added that electricity supply to the area was disconnected about two months ago.
The vehicles which were destroyed, comprising cars of various models, were estimated at more than RM1 million.
