KUCHING: An elderly couple was killed in a blaze at Yung Hock Garage in Mile 4 1/2 here this morning (Mar 2).
State Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) received a distress call at 4.01am, prompting teams from Batu Lintang and Tabuan Jaya fire stations to rush to the scene.
Upon arrival, the team found that the 80 by 20 square feet garage was 100 percent destroyed by the fire along with 12 other vehicles parked at the scene.
The firefighters also discovered the bodies of a 70-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman, who were unable to escape the inferno.
According to reports from Bomba, the man was found in the living room at 6.16am, while the woman was discovered in a bedroom.
Both victim’s bodies were handed over to the police for further action.
Sarawak Bomba director Datuk Khirudin Drahman, who was at the scene, expressed concerns that the couple may have faced difficulties escaping due to the gated surroundings of their home.
“Despite protecting our homes from theft, and break-ins, it could also endanger us when we are stuck and unable to escape incidents such as these.
“Therefore, I urge the public to be aware of their own safety and remain vigilant always,” he said.
Khirudin added that the cause and loss of the fire is currently being investigated, and the fire was brought under control around 5.23am.
“There was a witness who revealed that the cause of the fire may have been from the kitchen area.
“However, we are using Wief’s help, a forensic dog from the K9 Bomba unit to collect further evidence and find the cause of the incident,” he said.
