BUTTERWORTH, Oct 7 — Ten people, including eight senior citizens, managed to escape to safety before four terrace houses they occupied at Taman Senangin, Perai here were destroyed in a fire around midnight last night.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations John Sagun Francis said they immediately dispatched 24 personnel and fire engines to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 12.46 am.

“Firefighters managed to contain the blaze from spreading to other houses in the area at 1.23 am, and the fire was completely extinguished at 1.48 am. The firefighters continued with inspection and clean-up operations to ensure there were no remaining sources of the fire or other hazards,” he said in a statement today.