GEORGE TOWN: A fire in the heart of the city brought traffic near Komtar to a standstill as drivers and motorcyclists stopped to gawk at the smoke billowing from the area.
The fire, which broke out in the back lanes of Jalan Dato Keramat here at about noon, razed a 1,600 sq ft wooden shophouse and also damaged five other adjacent units. The two occupants of the wooden house managed to escape and no one was injured.
Two fire engines from the Beach Street and Perak Road stations managed to control the raging fire in 15 minutes, saving five other pre-war shophouses from serious damage.
The entire Jalan Dato Keramat (Komtar-bound) traffic came to a standstill with photos of the fire going viral.