Mother, son die in Tenom fire
TENOM: A 48-year-old woman and her son were burnt to death while her husband suffered burns when their double-storey terrace house at Taman Bosoi Kallang was gutted by fire early yesterday.
Wong Siu Mei and her son Wong Ka Seng, 8, died in the fire that occurred at 2.30am.
Her husband, Wong Vun Tshung, 38, received treatment for 27 per cent burns at the Tenom Hospital.
According to neighbours, the fire spread too fast and was difficult to control.
District Fire and Rescue Department Station chief Mohd Zainal Sinisian said his department received a distress call at 2.36am and rushed nine personnel in two fire engines to the scene.
“However, the structure of the house was already 80 per cent destroyed when the firemen arrived but they brought the fire under control around 3.10am, and prevented it from spreading to adjoining housing units.
“The fire was completely put out around 5.15am, and the cause and losses are still under investigation,” he said.
Mohd Zainal said his personnel found the remains of the woman at the bedside and her son on the bed in a room on the upper floor.
He said their bodies had been handed over to the police for further action.
Meanwhile, Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Radin Malleh visited the gutted double-storey terrace house early yesterday morning.
Radin said public cooperation enabled the district Fire and Rescue Department to prevent the fire from spreading to other houses.
The Melalap assemblyman advised the people especially house owners to be vigilant at all times and take heed of the department’s advice and recommendations to prevent fire outrbeaks in future.
“People who want to make a donation and deliver assistance can get in touch with the Melalap Community Development Leader Unit as well as the Chinese community leaders in the district.
“I and my family express my condolences to the family of these fire victims,” he said.