KOTA MARUDU: Swift action by the Fire and Recue department helped save 11 cats and a car from getting burnt in a fire at Kampung Goshen here.
During the incident at 8.15am yesterday, there was no one at the semi-detached premises and the fire was noticed by a passer-by.
The witness Welton Loidon, 25, said he stopped when he saw thick smoke coming from the premises.
"I kept on calling the residents but no one responded.
"Other road users also stopped by and informed villagers while I called the Fire and Rescue department," he said.
District Fire and Rescue department chief Rony Sikawan said they received a report at 8.23am and deployed seven personnel to the scene.
"Upon arrival, both houses were burnt and no one was trapped.
"We managed to rescue 11 cats but another one was dead. The personnel also removed a car," he said.
The operation ended at 9.38am and an investigation was still ongoing.