SIBU: An elderly man was found charred in the bedroom of a non-permanent structure house that was destroyed in a fire at Jalan Minah, Sarikei, near here early on Sunday (Nov 16).
Sarikei Fire and Rescue Station Chief, Arrahman Chik, said the body of Teng King Kai, 97, was found under a pile of fire debris in the bedroom at 2.18 and then handed over to the police for further action.
He said the station received an emergency call about the fire at 12.33am and an Operations Response Team (PKO) was deployed to the location, which is about 5km away, arriving there about five minutes later.
"A team from the Bintangor fire and rescue station was also mobilised to the scene to assist in the operation, bringing the total strength of personnel from both stations to 16," he said.
"The house was occupied by six people, but at the time of the incident, only five were at home. Of the five occupants, four managed to escape. The deceased is the father of the houseowner," he said in a statement on Sunday.
Arrahman said the survivors consisted of the 72-year-old houseowner, his 49-year-old wife, their 12-year-old daughter and his younger brother, aged 51.
The fire also destroyed a storage shed and two vehicles, a Perodua Aruz and a Toyota Unser, he said, adding that the fire extinguishing operation was hampered by low water pressure, as well as poor lighting. The operation ended at 4.55am. - Bernama
