Man killed in house fire

KUCHING, 17 September: A man is believed to have died from respiratory failure in a two-story house fire at Temenggong Haji Gobil, here this morning.

The 48-year-old victim was found unconscious in a room during a post-fire examination.

According to the Operations Movement Centre (PGO) of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Sarawak, a team from Petra Jaya Fire and Rescue Hall (BBP) received an emergency call at 10.08 am before arriving on site about four minutes later.

"The fire involved a two-story half-timbered house spanning about 30 x 50 square feet.

"On arrival at the scene, the team found that the kitchen part of the house had burned with estimated damage of about 30 percent", according to the statement.

The extinguishing operation was successfully controlled at 10:22 a.m. before the fire was completely extinguished.

However, a post-fire inspection found a man unconscious in a room at the house.

The victim was later confirmed dead at the scene by Malaysian Health Ministry (KKM) officials.

The bombers also contacted the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and KKM for further action.

The operation was headed by PBK I Pandi bin Seh with an eight-member force involving five FRT engines and three URVAN.-TVS