REMBAU: What was once a simple joy for Royhan Fadila Khaidir, 31 - taking his younger brother to the shop for his favourite snacks - has become a painful memory, as he would no longer hear his playful requests to go along, after the young man, who was disabled, was found burnt to death in a house fire in Kampung Seberang Batu Hampar here on Sunday (Nov 9) night.
Royhan, a fast-food restaurant worker, said he was on his way home from a hiking trip in Semenyih, Selangor, when he received the heartbreaking news about his younger brother, Mohd Alfian Syahrizal, 25.
Affectionately known as Pian, the sixth of seven siblings was a special-needs individual who found joy in simple moments, especially trips to the shop to pick out his favourite sweets and chocolates.
"While I was on my way home, my sister called in panic, telling me that our house was on fire. By the time the flames were put out, everything was gone - and Pian's body was found on the bed," he recalled, his voice heavy with emotion.
At the time of the fire, only their father and Mohd Alfian Syahrizal were at home, as their mother and another sister were away on the night shift. Royhan said his father had tried to rescue the victim but was forced back by the raging flames. He eventually managed to escape but sustained burns to his shoulder and head.
Royhan shared the heartbreaking account when met by reporters at the Rembau Hospital compound earlier on Monday.
Royhan said his brother had not shown any sign that something was amiss before the tragedy. However, their mother told him that in the past few days, Mohd Alfian Syahrizal had unusually asked her to help bathe him.
"Normally, he'd bathe on his own. But in the last two or three days, he kept asking our mother to help. We will really miss him," he shared softly, adding that his brother's remains would be buried at the Kampung Seberang Batu Hampar Muslim Cemetery after the post-mortem is completed later today.
A special-needs individual in the slow learner category, Mohd Alfian Syahrizal Khaidir lost his life after his family's home in Kampung Seberang Batu Hampar, Rembau, was engulfed in flames late on Sunday. - Bernama
