KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- Some 5,410 fires were recorded in housing areas nationwide last year, killing 76 people, mostly senior citizens and children.

Fire & Rescue Department fire safety assistant director-general Datuk Rusmaini Mohamad said improper usage of electrical appliances had been identified as the main cause for the fires.

"Many cases involved terrace houses where negligence when using electrical appliances led to fires," he told reporters at a fire safety seminar at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here today.

Rusmaini said 29,417 fires were recorded nationwide last year involving estimated losses of RM1.056 billion with properties saved estimated at RM10.366 billion.

Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur recorded 1,778 fires last year with 11 deaths, estimated losses of RM35 million and properties saved worth RM382 million.