[UPDATED] Massive blaze engulfs KL’s Datuk Keramat market

KUALA LUMPUR – Videos of a fire at the Datuk Keramat market here have been making its rounds on social media and messaging apps.

Social media users have reported that the blaze engulfing the market have caused a massive traffic congestion in the area, including the Akleh Highway from Jalan Tun Razak heading to Ampang.

Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) senior operations commander Senior Assistant Fire Chief Mohd Suhaimi Mohd Razali said they received an emergency call at 5.26pm.

“The operation is ongoing, and there are no victims reported yet,” he was quoted as saying by Kosmo.

Fire and rescue teams comprising 58 firefighters were dispatched to the scene from the Keramat, Setapak, KLCC, Hang Tuah, and Wangsa Maju stations. The fire was fully extinguished at 6.25pm.

More than 40 stalls are affected, many of them being popular eateries in the area. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Meanwhile, Rapid KL said in a statement that there are road closures due to the ongoing rescue efforts, with several circuits being affected.

Bus routes T224 and GOKL Turquoise are unable to operate.

Route 220 will be diverted to Jalan Jelatek, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Tun Razak, dan Jalan Kg Baru. It will not be stopping at Syarikat Jaya Diri, Jalan Datuk Keramat, LRT Dato’ Keramat, Masjid Al-Ikram, and Zimas driving school.

It will also bypass Markas Latihan TD (Tentera Darat), Mindef, IBS Semarak, and Sekolah Jln Gurney. – The Vibes, March 17, 2021