PONTIAN: A 51-year-old disabled man died after an early morning fire destroyed his home in Kampung Parit Karimun Darat, Benut, on Sunday (Aug 23).
Pontian OCPD Supt Hadzrat Hussien Mion Hussain said police were alerted to the incident at 1.15am. The victim's badly burnt body was recovered inside the completely destroyed semi-permanent house, located in an orchard about 80 metres from the nearest neighbour.
Initial investigations revealed the victim lived in the house with his mother, who was visiting another child in Pasir Gudang at the time of the incident. The body was sent to the Hospital Pontian forensic department for a post-mortem examination.
Police have classified the case as a sudden death and recorded a statement from the victim's brother.
Pontian Fire and Rescue Station operations commander Mohamad Nor Hafiz Asmadi said 17 firefighters were deployed to the scene following a 12.57am emergency call. The fire, which destroyed roughly 75% of the 20ft by 60ft structure, was brought under control at 1.54am. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
