YEAR 2 BOY BURNT TO DEATH

Victim was playing with lighter inside container when it went up in flames

AYEAR Two pupil playing in a container used to store traders’ goods in Jalan Pintasan Bahagia, Bayan Baru, here died when it caught fire at noon yesterday.

The child, who sustained 100 per cent burns on his body, was identified as Muhammad Saifuddin Ali Subahan, 8.

It is believed that he had been playing with a lighter.

Firefighters found Saifuddin’s charred remains in a sitting position at a corner of the container.

They took 20 minutes to extinguish the flames after receiving a distress call at 12.15pm.

Southwest district police chief Superintendent A.A. Anbalagan said a witness, whose hair was singed in the incident, claimed that he saw the victim playing with a lighter moments before the container went up in flames.

“All of a sudden, fire engulfed the container, and the victim was trapped inside.

“About 80 per cent of the container was destroyed,” he said, adding that an investigation was ongoing and police had ruled out foul play.

“The case is classified as ‘sudden death’. The victim’s remains were sent to Penang Hospital for a post-mortem.”

Anbalagan said the container had a sofa inside and had become a hangout spot for villagers.

“We believe the victim had gone inside the container to play.”

Bayan Baru Fire and Rescue Department chief Muhammad Tarmizi Abdul Salam said the department received a distress call at 12.15pm and arrived at the scene nine minutes later.

“By the time we arrived, about 80 per cent of the container had been razed. It was only then we were told that there was a child inside.

“When we put out the fire at 12.40pm, we found the victim’s body inside.”

A poignant scene unfolded when Saifuddin’s body arrived at the Penang Hospital mortuary, which was accompanied by his father, Subahan Senni Santar Abdullah, 37.

More than 50 others had gathered there to comfort the grieving dad, who wept openly.

Saifuddin was the third of four siblings.

It is learnt that his mother had just given birth around a month ago. Saifuddin’s remains were buried at the Jalan Perak Muslim cemetery last night.

PIC COURTESY OF FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT The burning container in Jalan Pintasan Bahagia, Bayan Baru, where Muhammad Saifuddin Ali Subahan (inset) was burnt to death yesterday.

PIX BY SHAHNAZ FAZLIE SHAHRIZAL Fire and Rescue Department investigators looking for evidence inside the burned container. (Inset) Subahan Senni Santar Abdullah crying as he accompanies his son’s remains to Penang Hospital.