KOTA KINABALU: A man and his three grandchildren were killed while another 13-year-old was injured in a midnight fire in Labuan, on Thursday (Feb 20).
The deceased have been identified as Shahwin Kind Chong Shahmioon, 11, Shayviann Kyrona Ruby Chong Shamioon, 8, Shayven Keinth Chong Shahmioon, 12 and Morris Chong Hoon Cheung, 65, while Shayden Ken Ruby Chong Abdullah, 13 escaped with injuries.
Initial investigations by the Labuan Fire and Rescue Department show that four other victims aged one, 32, 35 and 61 managed to escape the blaze.
The fire was reported at 12.27am at Lazenda Villa 2 Kerupang, involving a double-storey house.
Neighbours who noticed the fire had gone to assist, saving a baby from the house, said firemen.
Three people managed to flee by climbing out of the house windows from the upper floor, while the remaining five were trapped inside.
Firemen said that they had rushed into the burning house and managed to get four unconscious children out, while the charred remains of a male adult were found near the kitchen area on the lower floor of the house.
“From the four unconscious children rescued, two were pronounced dead by medical officials at the scene,” said an official who did not want to be named.
Two others were sent to the hospital for treatment while the charred remains of an adult were handed over to the police for further action.
Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control at around 2am, and wrapped up their operations on site not long after.
Investigations continue into the cause of the fire.
