Fire gutted the first floor of a two-storey house belonging to Alleycats vocalist, the late A Loganathan, in Jalan Azyze Tanjung Bungah in George Town today.

His widow, Susan Loganathan, 56, said she and her younger brother, who were resting in the living room, were startled by the sound of an explosion before they saw smoke billowing upstairs at about 11am.

Susan sustained minor injuries on her hands while a portion of her hair was slightly burned as she and her brother, Kevin Jonathan Boudville, 46, salvaged several important documents before leaving the house.

“A collection of my husband’s albums since the 1980s, which were kept on the first floor, was destroyed along with jewellery and some money,” she said, adding that she stayed in the house with Boudville.

Speaking to reporters, Susan said she was thankful that memorable items like her pictures with her late husband, and his trophies and awards, which were kept on the first floor, were not gutted.

Loganathan’s older brother, Alleycats lead vocalist David Arumugam, said he last visited the house last year.

“This house holds a lot of memories of my late brother,” said Arumugam, adding that the house was rented since 12 years ago.

Loganathan died of cancer in 2007.

Meanwhile, Bagan Jermal fire station chief fire officer A Ravi said 29 firemen in six engines rushed to the scene after they were alerted at 11.18am.

“Fire-fighters rescued three dogs trapped in the fire. The blaze spread to an adjacent home, but was brought under control in 15 minutes’ time,” he added.

He said the damage and the cause of the fire had yet to be ascertained.

- Bernama