KOTA KINABALU: A pregnant woman was rushed to the hospital while her house was engulfed in flames, resulting in the tragic deaths of her three children and two young neighbours on Monday afternoon.
The victims were identified as Raisa, 4, and her younger sisters, Raidah, 3, and Raina, 1, along with their neighbours, Almidah, 14, and Siti Faridah, 3. Their charred remains were found together in the bathroom of the house.
Lintas Fire and Rescue Services Department Chief Agustavia Joe Guasi said the fire started as the pregnant woman, who was looking after seven children, began experiencing labour contractions.
"Her contractions worsened and she was preparing to head to the Likas Women and Children’s Hospital when the fire broke out," Guasi explained, adding that five children perished in the blaze while two managed to escape.
A total of 33 firemen from the Lintas, Kota Kinabalu, and Putatan stations were dispatched to Jalan Lembaga Padi, Lorong Burung Keleto in Likas after receiving a distress call at 12:44pm. The fire, which spread rapidly, destroyed three houses, a storeroom and a sundry shop.
"The woman was taken to the hospital, where we’ve been informed she has since given birth," Guasi added. The woman’s personal details were not immediately available.
Meanwhile, Wahid Maulan, 44, the father of the two other victims, expressed deep sorrow over not being able to see his daughters before the tragedy.
Wahid, a construction worker, last spoke to his daughters, Siti Faridah and Almidah, on Sunday (Sept 29), promising them some allowance upon his return from work in Kota Belud.
“I kissed both of my daughters before leaving for work and asked them to pray for my job to go smoothly, so I could give them more spending money. I never imagined that would be the last time I saw them,” he said.
Upon receiving news of the fire, Wahid rushed back from Kota Belud, only to be met with the devastating reality of losing his daughters.
“Although this trial is incredibly heavy, it is Allah’s will that they were taken from us at such a young age. I accept it,” he said.
