SANDAKAN: An 84-year-old woman died after being trapped in a fire that destroyed a double-storey semi-permanent house at Jalan Fook Hin, Batu 12, here on Monday night (May 18).
It was understood that the victim, identified only as Nicole, was upstairs when the fire broke out, while her granddaughter was downstairs.
The granddaughter reportedly attempted to reach the elderly woman but could not get through as the flames spread rapidly through the house.
The fire was believed to have started from an electrical short circuit or spark, although investigations are still ongoing.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department chief Senior Fire Supt Jimmy Lagung said the department received a distress call at 8.38pm, and a team from the Sandakan fire station was dispatched to the scene, about 20km away.
“Upon arrival, firefighters found that the two-storey semi-permanent house measuring 40x80 sq ft was already 100% engulfed in flames.
“There was also information that an elderly woman was trapped inside the house,” he said in a statement.
Jimmy said firefighters carried out search-and-rescue operations while battling the blaze, using a 300-foot hose line with two nozzles, drawing water from a tanker.
The fire was brought under control at 9.35pm.
He said the victim’s body was later discovered in the living room area of the house at about 10.44pm.
A total of 13 firefighters were involved in the operation, together with personnel from the police and the Health Ministry.
