KUANTAN: A physically disabled man was found dead, believed to have succumbed to smoke inhalation after the terrace house he lived in at Taman Seri Mahkota Jaya caught fire on Wednesday (July 8) morning.
Pahang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Datuk Mohd Razam Taja Rahim said the department received an emergency call at 9.31am, and a team from the Taman Tas Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene at 9.40am.
He said the fire involved the living room of the house, with an estimated 15 per cent damage to the property.
"During the firefighting operation, firefighters found a man in his 60s unconscious on a bed in a seated position in a room near the living area," he told reporters here.
Mohd Razam said the victim, identified as G. Vithalinggam, had no burn injuries and was believed to have died from smoke inhalation during the fire.
"It is believed that the victim tried to save himself but failed because the smoke was too thick," he said, adding that the victim had been alone at home when the incident occurred.
He said firefighters had to force open the front door and the metal grille gate to gain access and carry out the rescue operation.
"The cause of the fire and the amount of losses are still being investigated by the JBPM Forensic Unit," he said.
Meanwhile, the victim's younger sister, G. Lomba, 64, said she was informed of the incident by a neighbour who contacted her while she was at a clinic.
"I fell at work yesterday and had to go to the clinic today. I left the house at about 7am and received a call about the fire after 10am.
"Before leaving the house, I prepared breakfast and saw that my brother was already awake,” she said.
Lomba said she had been caring for her brother after bringing him to live with her following his leg surgery more than two years ago due to complications from diabetes. - Bernama
