DUNGUN: An elderly couple lost more than RM300,000 when their house in Kampung Kuala Jengai here, was destroyed in a fire yesterday.
The couple did not manage to salvage any of their personal belongings or valuables as they were not home when the fire broke out at 8.30am.
Che Wan Mariam Che Wan Abdullah, 65, said she was saddened by the incident as she had prepared everything for Aidilfitri.
Wan Mariam said her 12 children and their spouses as well as her 25 grandchildren had planned to celebrate Aidilfitri at the house.
"My husband is not in good health and has been disabled for the past 14 years," she said.
She said they were both at the home of one of their children in Kemaman when the incident happened.
"We were shocked to receive a call from a neighbour about the fire," she added.
Bandar Al-Muktaffi Billah Shah (AMBS) Fire and Rescue station chief Jas Wari Awang@ Muhamad said the station received a distress call at 8.44am and a team of firemen were deployed to the scene.
"Two fire engines with 12 men were involved in the operation. They took about 30 minutes to control the fire from spreading to the other houses," he said, adding that the fire was totally put out at 11.05 am.
"We are investigating the cause of the fire," he said.