5-year-old boy dies in M’sia fire after allegedly going back to sleep, 38 houses also destroyed

5-year-old boy dies in Malaysia fire that destroyed 38 houses and affected 200 residents

A fire in Sabah, Malaysia, resulted in the death of a five-year-old boy.

The incident occurred at 12.45am on 27 Oct, in the city of Tawau. In total, the fire engulfed 38 houses in the community.

Videos taken showed streets choked with smoke as the orange flames gutted out the various homes.

Residents stood around watching, unable to do anything about the inferno.

During the fire, five-year-old Putra Herriz Azmil was awoken from his sleep by his mother.

In the ensuing chaos with the 13 family members trying to escape, his parents assumed he had already been brought to safety.

Later, however, they realised Herriz Azmil was missing. The family was unable to locate him, though they heard him crying.

The child died in the fire, with his remains found by firefighters in a house. Herriz Azmil’s aunt suspected that he may have fallen back asleep.

200 individuals affected by the fire

The firefighters managed to save 68 houses from the blaze in a long operation that ended at 5.59am.

Around 200 individuals were affected by the fire, though Herriz Azmil was the only death.

At the time, the power supply had gone out due to a storm. As such, it is believed that a stray candle flame ignited the blaze.

The authorities set up a temporary relief centre to care for the victims who have lost their homes.

Also read: 2 sent to hospital after fire breaks out at Lucky Plaza, 20 others self-evacuated

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Featured image adapted from mynewshub on X and PERKALAS on Facebook.