Braving the blaze to save their children
Couple badly burned after rescuing their kids from fire
ALOR SETAR: A couple suffered serious burns after using themselves as human shields to rush their children out of their burning house in Kampung Bandar, Baling.
Eatery operator Nazri Ismail, 40, and his wife Salawati Romli, 39, were severely burnt on their hands and bodies during the 6am fire yesterday. The fire destroyed a coffeeshop, a motorcycle store and five sundry shops.
The couple had earlier shielded their children to safety as they rushed out from the gutted shoplot where the children were sleeping in earlier.
Salawati’s brother Mustakim Romli, 20, said Nazri was in more serious condition because he dashed back into the house to retrieve his car keys.
“He wanted to move his car that was parked in front of the shoplot, for fear it might catch fire and explode.
“He managed to move the car before collapsing at the scene. He has breathing difficulties now,” he said.
Mustakim is thankful the entire family managed to escape.
“The children could have been burnt to death,” he said.
Nazri and Salawati are warded at Baling Hospital.
It is learnt that they would be transferred to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar if their con- ditions deteriorate.
Baling Fire Station Operation Commander Asst Supt Mohd Riduan Abu Malik said they received a distress call at 6.11am yesterday.
“Upon reaching the scene, 80% of the affected units were already engulfed in fire. We managed to control the fire by 7.04am.
“We are still investigating the cause and the losses have yet to be ascertained,” he added.
A fire victim, Halimaton, 30, said her mother Rokiah Md Isa, 60, screamed to alert others after she saw fire from one of the shoplots.
“She was up because she wanted to perform Subuh prayers.
“We managed to escape with some personal belongings and drive our car away,” she said.
Baling District officer Md Shuhaimi Abd Rahman said the affected families were given food and RM500 in aid.