Father and nine-year-old son killed in house fire in Malaysia
A 40-year-old man and his nine-year-old son died after a fire broke out at their home in Kampung Tok Jebak, Terengganu, early Wednesday (26 Aug) morning.
The blaze destroyed around 70% of the two-storey semi-permanent house, reports Guang Ming Daily.
Two victims trapped inside home
The Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 2.49am and immediately dispatched a response team of 24 firefighters to the scene.
Three people were reportedly inside the house when the fire started.
Source: Sin Chew Daily News
A 67-year-old female occupant managed to escape, but the other two were trapped inside.
Following a three-hour operation, firefighters brought the flames under control, but the fire had already severely damaged the structure.
Responders navigated up the iron structural framework to access the upper floor, where they discovered the two deceased victims holding each other tightly.
Source: China Press
They were identified as 40-year-old father, Amirul Fahmi, and his nine-year-old son, Raihan Yusof.
Both victims returned to house on 25 Aug
According to a family relative, Nik Mohd Zain, the victim’s 67-year-old mother, Maimunah, was sleeping on the ground floor when the fire started.
She was rescued just in time by her son-in-law, who lives next door.
Nik Mohd Zain shared that Amirul Fahmi was the fourth of eight siblings and worked as a photographer and videographer for a restaurant in Kuala Terengganu.
Source: 8tvnews
The father and son had just returned to his mother’s house on 25 Aug after visiting his wife, Nur Izzah, who had recently completed her postpartum confinement at her family home in Kampung Paloh.
“He and his son returned to his mother’s home because they were preparing to move in permanently to take care of her declining health,” Nik Mohd Zain said.
Witness recounted hearing screams before rushing to help
A 46-year-old eyewitness, Wan Azri, who lives about 40 to 50 metres from the scene, recalled being alerted to the fire by his wife’s screams.
He rushed to the location and joined two other villagers already at the scene.
Source: Sin Chew Daily News
“We repeatedly shouted and knocked on the door, but received no response. Since the front door was locked from the inside, we kicked it open,” Wan Azri said.
“A relative living next door went inside and rescued the elderly woman on the ground floor. It was only then that we learned her son and grandson were trapped upstairs.”
Fire reportedly spread rapidly
He added that although the flames initially appeared manageable, the fire spread rapidly and engulfed the structure.
Source: China Press
Firefighters later discovered the bodies of the father and son on the upper floor, locked in an embrace.
Authorities believe the pair became trapped by the rapidly spreading flames before being overcome by the fire.
Cause of fire under investigation
Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Azli confirmed the incident.
He said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
Further details on the victims and circumstances surrounding the blaze have not been released.
Also read: 2 teen sisters die after being trapped during house fire in JB
2 teen sisters die after being trapped during house fire in JB
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Featured image adapted from Sin Chew Daily News and 8tvnews.
