Two families in Kampung Seberang Terus near here were left only with the clothes on their backs after their houses were destroyed in a pre-dawn fire today.

The operations chief at the Alor Setar Fire and Rescue station, Mahmad Fauzi Abdullah, said firemen from the station, assisted by two engines from the volunteer squad, went to the after receiving a distress call at 5.20am and took about one and a half hour to completely douse the flame.

He said the Fire and Rescue Department was investigating the cause of the fire and losses incurred .

At noon today, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung and Kedah Umno liaison chairman Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md. Hanipah visited the victims.