Toy Store Owner Faces RM1 Million Loss After Massive Blaze in Kuala Terengganu

KUALA LUMPUR – A business owner was left devastated after a massive fire completely destroyed his retail shop in Kampung Simpang Tok Ku on Thursday night, resulting in estimated losses of nearly RM1 million.

The premises, which specialized in toys, bicycles, and electric scooters, had been in operation for over five years. The fire, which broke out during business hours, also reportedly consumed approximately RM10,000 in cash—the day’s total sales takings.

Narrow Escape for Employees According to the store manager, Maya Suhaidi, 40, she and ten other employees were inside the two-storey building when the incident occurred around 7:40 PM. They were alerted by a strong smell of smoke emanating from the rear of the building.

“I immediately checked the source and found a fire spreading near the women’s prayer room,” Maya said. “I quickly instructed everyone to evacuate as the smoke became thicker and called the emergency services.”

At the time of the incident, the store owner, Mohd Azrol Azahar, 39, was at another branch in Kuala Berang. Despite the rapid response of his staff, only a few items displayed outside the shop could be salvaged.

Firefighting Operation The Kuala Terengganu Fire and Rescue Station (Bomba) received the distress call at 7:49 PM. A total of 24 personnel and three fire engines from the Kuala Terengganu and Jalan Kota stations were deployed to the scene.

Station Chief Thoyyibah Taib confirmed that firefighting operations lasted approximately 30 minutes. “We managed to contain the blaze by 8:23 PM. While the ground floor sustained roughly 50% damage, the contents of the building were almost entirely destroyed,” she stated.

No Casualties Reported Authorities confirmed that all staff and customers managed to evacuate safely, and no injuries were reported. The Fire and Rescue Department’s forensics unit is currently investigating the exact cause of the fire and finalizing the total valuation of the property loss.

Local community leaders have expressed their sympathy for the business owner, who is a well-known local entrepreneur, as he begins the difficult process of recovery.