A fire broke out early this morning along Hugh Low Street’s mural lane in Ipoh, destroying an abandoned pre-war shophouse that had long been left vacant and allegedly turned into a drug den. The incident occurred at around 6.30am when residents spotted thick smoke rising from the two-storey unit, which used to house a traditional Chinese medicine store.
According to witnesses, the building’s back gate had been broken into months earlier, giving drug addicts easy access. The property, which is part of a row of seven pre-war structures, had been left empty for years, making it vulnerable to vandalism, theft and now fire. Fortunately, firefighters arrived within minutes of receiving the distress call and managed to contain the flames before they could spread to neighbouring properties. No casualties were reported.
The destroyed unit measured about 20 by 60 feet, and by the time fire crews arrived, the blaze had already engulfed the upper floor. By 7.12am, the flames were under control, though much of the interior had been reduced to charred remains.
A growing concern for urban safety
This is not the first time Hugh Low Street’s mural area has been hit by safety incidents. In June, the same block had experienced a smaller fire, followed by several cases of stolen water meters and even attempts to damage security cameras. Locals say intruders often strip abandoned shops of wiring, metal grills and even doors to sell as scrap, leaving behind unsafe and unstable structures.
Business owners in the vicinity expressed concerns that without proper intervention, more of Ipoh’s heritage shophouses could face the same fate. “If nothing is done, one day the whole row could go up in flames,” said one shopkeeper. Fire safety experts warn that vacant properties pose high risks not only because of structural decay but also due to their misuse by drug addicts or vagrants.
The police temporarily sealed off the street this morning to allow fire crews to complete their work, which caused traffic congestion in parts of Ipoh city centre, especially along the route leading from Jalan Gopeng.
Calls for stricter building management
Urban renewal advocates have urged local councils to take a firmer stance in managing abandoned pre-war buildings. Many argue that these neglected properties, while part of Ipoh’s cultural charm, are increasingly becoming hazards. Beyond the danger of fire and property damage, they often attract illegal activity that undermines public safety.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the blaze, though early reports suggest it may have been linked to activities inside the premises. Meanwhile, property experts note that restoring heritage shophouses for commercial or residential use could be a long-term solution, both preserving history and reducing safety risks.