Lawyer perishes in fire after rushing into burning shoplot unit
KUCHING: A lawyer perished in a fire on Tuesday night after deciding to rush into his burning shoplot unit at Jalan Ang Cheng Ho despite attempts by the public to stop him.
The deceased, identified as 66year-old Kiong Chiew Huat @ King Chiu Huat, was found by firemen in the living room of his unit on the second floor of a commercial block.
King’s elder brother, who declined to be named, said members of the public had tried to stop his brother from going into the burning building.
“He lived there alone. I was told he was out at the time, but rushed back after being told of the fire.
“I was also told that those at the scene tried to stop him from going upstairs, but he ignored their pleas. I don’t know why he would risk his life to rush into his burning house,” said the elder sibling when met yesterday.
According to him further, he had purchased the three- storey building together with his brother in 1978.
“He (deceased) was using the first floor for his law office and lived on the second floor.”
State Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) assistant operations director Tiong Ling Hii said firemen were dispatched to the scene following a distress call at 8.46pm.
“Bomba personnel discovered a man in the living room after dousing the fire on the second floor of the building. Unfortunately, the man had already succumbed to his injuries,” said Tiong, adding the Bomba operation ended at 10.40pm.
District police chief ACP Abang Ahmad Abang Julai, meanwhile, said the body was sent to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) for a post-mortem, with police classifying the case as sudden death.
“Initial investigation revealed no foul play. The fire was believed to have started due to short circuit.”
He lived there alone. I was told he was out at the time, but rushed back after being told of the fire. Deceased’s elder brother