Kuantan Shophouse Fire: Rare Antiques, Second-hand Footware Go Up In Smoke

KUANTAN, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Irreplaceable objects of cultural heritage, notably a set of century-old chairs and a rare Chinese typewriter with Mandarin characters, went up in smoke when several shops in a two-storey row of Colonial-era building on Jalan Mahkota caught fire last night.

Chairman of the Kuantan Kwong Siew Association, located on the upper floor, Cheong Lai Chee, 65, said the four chairs and the typewriter were priceless as they had been brought to Malaya by former members of the association.

“Other items destroyed in the blaze were books, documents, old association magazines and photographs. No one was in the building at the time because we only operate during working hours,” she told reporters.

She said the extent of losses has yet to be determined, pending a review of the association’s assets by its accountant.

Cheong said the devastating incident also affected preparations for their annual Lantern Festival, scheduled for next month.

“We usually hold a dinner by inviting all our esteemed members, but it seems like the gala has to be cancelled,” she said, adding that the 126-year-old association currently has more than 1,300 members.

Another victim, second-hand shoe shop operator Ahmad Syukri Mazlan, 33, estimated his losses at RM200,000.

Recounting the episode, he said the fire broke out at about 8.30 pm, after he had finished performing Isyak prayers at the back of his shop.

“Suddenly, I heard a sound like a collapse from the back store. At first, I thought it was people working, but soon after, a neighbour shouted there was a fire. I rushed to save whatever items I could.

“Only about a quarter of the shoes were saved, the rest were either burned or damaged by water,” he said.

He said some of the salvaged shoes were relocated to Taman Kerang with the help of the public and nearby shopkeepers, who also lent their stores to keep the goods.

“So far, the fire department has not conducted a loss assessment at my shop. The fire is believed to have originated from a carpet shop next door,” he added.

Ahmad Syukri said he hopes to resume business at the same location if it is certified safe, or else he will seek another outlet around Kuantan.

“For now, I am trying to save whatever items can still be used to continue my business. Otherwise, I will have to dispose of them,” he said.

Yesterday, the media reported that it took over 40 firefighters to douse the inferno till midnight.

-- BERNAMA