KOTA BELUD: A 32-year-old sustained burns while braving flames to rescue his wife and four children in a fire that destroyed a row of shophouses near SMK Narinang here early Sunday.
The victim suffered burns to his face and body as he evacuated his family members before the fire spread rapidly, eventually destroying nearly the entire block of nine shop premises.
Kota Belud Fire and Rescue Station Chief Elge Bakuk said the Department received an emergency call about the incident at 5.32am.
A team of 12 personnel, including officers, rushed to the scene 22 kilometres away.
“Upon arrival, the fire and rescue team found the blaze had engulfed a row of semi-permanent shops in a single block containing nine units,” Elge said.
The man’s wife, also 32, and their four children aged 11, eight and five years, as well as a one-month-old baby boy, were reported safe.
Elge said a fire hydrant near the school had no water pressure, forcing the team to travel three kilometres to Tag Valley to refill water supplies using a roadside hydrant.
All victims received initial treatment from team’s medical emergency response services and hospital personnel before the injured man was taken to Kota Belud Hospital for further examination and treatment.
The fire was brought under control at 7.13am and fully extinguished at 10.55am.
The operation involved cooperation from the police, Health Ministry and the Pangkalan Abai Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The cause of the fire and total losses are still under investigation.
