SIBLINGS SAVE PARALYSED MUM

They carried her out before fire spread to the house

TWO siblings rushed to the aid of their paralysed mother when several houses in Kampung Sarip here caught fire on Sunday night.

Norman Portunado, 38, and his younger sister rescued their mother, who was sleeping in a room, by carrying her out before the fire spread to their house.

Norman said as the fire spread fast, they were not able to salvage their belongings, including important documents.

“At that time, I was only thinking of rescuing my mother. Luckily, my younger sister was around, so we carried her out before the house caught fire.”

The 1am blaze destroyed more than 30 houses in the squatter village, leaving 150 people homeless.

Noraida Iskul, 39, whose house was also destroyed, said: “I only realised there was a fire when I was awakened by the screams of neighbours. I woke my children and rushed out of the house.”

State Fire and Rescue Department operations chief Khatizah Rahaban said the Lahad Datu fire station received a distress call at 1.06am and despatched three fire engines with 12 personnel to the scene.

“The fire destroyed about 30 houses. It was brought under control at 2.16am and ended at 6.01am.

“Based on investigations, no casualties were reported.”

OF FIRE DEPARTMENT PIC COURTESY The aftermath of a fire that razed 30 houses and left 150 people homeless in Kampung Sarip, Lahad Datu, on Sunday. (Inset) Norman Portunado.