MALACCA, Feb 15 — Patrons at a night market at Jonker Street, Jalan Jebat here, ran helter-skelter to safety when fire broke out at a 100-year-old building used as a venue to sell local and traditional food here yesterday.

The fire, which broke out at 11.30pm, forced traders in the area to stop business and began packing 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 here today.

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

Investigation is in progress to determine the cause of the fire and losses incurred, he adde — Bernama