KUANTAN, MALAYSIA: Pandemonium broke out at a hypermarket here when its main storeroom caught fire about 7am yesterday.

The incident happened when several staff were busy preparing for the opening of the hypermarket at 10am.

Three fire engines with 29 men, who arrived at 8am, managed to douse the fire after 45 minutes.

Kuantan Fire and Rescue Department chief Rozali Ismail said the fire had spread fast as there were many items in the storeroom.

But swift action by firemen prevented the fire from reaching the main building.

Rozali said the department was still investigating the cause of the fire and the losses incurred had not been determined yet.