Kedah fire and rescue department director Awang Hidzel Awang Bujang said firefighting teams from the Tikam Batu, Sungai Petani and Kuala Muda stations were sent to the scene after a distress call at 1.12am.

He said firemen managed to prevent the fire from spreading and brought it under control at about 3am.

The first victim was found at 3.20am, the second at 6am and third at 10.15am. All the bodies, two women and a man, were found near the exit door of the same shophouse.

Awang Hidzel identified them as Lim Yang Kooi, 66, his wife, Lee Chew Fong, 61, and Lee’s mother, Yong Swee Lan, 92. They were in the clothing and furnishing business.

Awang Hidzel said they believed the fire began from a shophouse selling school uniforms but the cause of the fire is still unknown.

He also said firemen had difficulty fighting the blaze as there was no access route from the back.