KOTA KINABALU: An 80-year-old woman and her 15-year-old granddaughter died in a morning fire at Kg Pulau Penampang, along One Borneo road near here.
The charred remains of the victims were found at 7.13am and 7.33am respectively.
The pair failed to escape their room due to the intense fire, while four household members survived.
Kota Kinabalu fire station chief Ordine Gilu said three fire teams were dispatched after receiving the distress call at 5.22am.
"Fire trucks and other units arrived at the scene around 5.39am, but the house was already engulfed in flames," he said.
"Fire extinguishing efforts used water from our fire truck and a tanker," he added. A car was also destroyed.
Ordine said firefighters controlled the blaze by 5.55am and ended operations at 8.43am.
He added that 31 firefighters were assisted by police, Health Department officials, and Sabah Electricity personnel.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway, he said.
