DARO: An early-morning fire at Kampung Halud Matu here claimed the life of an elderly man today.
The body of Merais Aris, 68, was discovered at 4.45 am after firefighters extinguished the fire which started at 2.15 am.
Fire and Rescue Department Zone 4 chief Andy Alie said they received an emergency call at 2.51 am.
A team of officers and personnel from the Daro Fire and Rescue Station was immediately dispatched to the scene, about 28 km away.
“The fire was already at its height when the firefighters arrived. Firefighting operations could only start at 3.30 am (15 minutes after Bomba’s arrival).
“Water had to be from the drain, as there was no fire hydrant,” he said, adding that the flames were put out by 4.40 am.
Andy said an elderly man was the sole casualty.
“His body was removed from the scene and handed over to the police for further action,” he said.
Firefighters completed their tasks at 5.44 am.
The cause of the fire and the extent of losses incurred are still under investigation.
