The fire is believed to have started on the top 17th floor of Block 70 of the Sri Sabah public housing project (PPR) flats, Berita Harian reported.

The incident was recorded by residents in the neighbouring block and shared on social media.

Bernama reported that the 9pm fire was believed to have started from one of the flats on the 17th floor before spreading to the others.

It said firemen, with eight engines, including a Skylift, were working to extinguish the blaze.

Federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said she had been informed about the fire.

“I have instructed City Hall to prepare the necessary aid (to the victims) immediately,” she said in a post on X.

In 2021, eight Sri Johor flats – a four-minute drive from the Sri Sabah flats – were destroyed in a fire.