Home for disabled in JB catches fire, senior citizen injured

JOHOR BARU: A home for the disabled at Kampung Ungku Mohsin here caught fire, causing one senior citizen to suffer burns on his body.

Larkin Fire and Rescue station commander operation Mohamad Faiz Suleiman said the station received a distress call about the incident at 7.53am on Monday (Dec 26) morning.

He said about 17 firemen from the Larkin station and six firemen from Tebrau station were deployed to the Johor Baru Disabled Person Association home.

“The 64-year-old victim suffered 30% burns on his body after he went inside of the burning house to retrieve documents and money. Firemen at the scene stopped him when he tried to enter the home again,” he said.

Mohamad Faiz added that the victim was sent to Sultanah Aminah Hospital for treatment.

He also said at the time of the incident, there were four other blind residents but they were able to be rescued through the quick action of the public, before firemen arrived at the scene.

“The four of them did not suffer any injuries in the incident,” he said, adding that the operation ended at around 10.40am.

Mohamad Faiz said the fire had damaged 65% of the home and that it could have started in the kitchen area but the incident is still being investigated.