Patrons at a night market at Jonker Street, Jalan Jebat, ran hastily to safety when fire broke out in a 100-year-old building that had been used as a venue to sell local and traditional food in Malacca yesterday.
   

The fire, which broke out at 11.30pm, forced traders in the area to stop business and pack away their goods.

   

Malacca Fire and Rescue director Zainuddin Md Alip said four fire engines from the Jalan Kubu, Bukit Katil, and Tangga Batu stations - with 25 firemen - rushed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 11.32pm, and arrived there five minutes later.

   

"The fire was at its peak when they arrived, but they were able to control the fire from spreading, and the flame was completely doused about midnight," he told reporters in Malacca today.

   

He said the fire caused about 80 percent damage to the building, which is owned by the Eng Choon Association.

   

Investigation are in progress to determine the cause of the fire and losses incurred, he added.

- Bernama