ALOR STAR: The fire which razed 17 houses in the Bukit Malut immigrants settlement in Langkawi, started at a workshop before it spread.
Kedah Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said initial investigation revealed the blaze spread quickly in the 7.40pm incident as most of the houses were made of wood.
"50 firefighters from the Langkawi and Persiaran Putra fire stations were despatched to the scene upon receiving a distress call. And upon their arrival, 17 houses were already engulfed in flames," she said.
"Nevertheless, thanks to a nearby shipyard for providing us with water supply to put out the fire by 10.30pm," she said.
Sayani said no injuries were reported among the 65 victims of the affected families.
She added that the department had also proposed for the Langkawi local authority to install more fire hydrants at the site in the future.