PENAMPANG: A 75-year-old man was killed in a fire that destroyed two houses, three cars and two motorcycles in Taman Dai Ming, here, early Monday.
Chong Soo Hiong was said to have succumbed to his injuries at the hospital following the 5.11am fire.
He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
His 40-year-old son said they have lived on the property for 40 years and that his father was alone at the time of the fire.
The elderly man is thought to have attempted to flee the burning building by driving his Toyota, but the car became stuck in the ditch while he was reversing.
He was said to have inhaled too much smoke and panicked as a result of the fire.
When his neighbours realised he was trapped in the vehicle, they came to his rescue.
The fire was thought to have begun in the first house which belonged to a man named Lee, 38.
Lee claimed he was able to escape by hopping over the front fence, while his wife, two children and sibling were able to go through the rear door.
His wife was injured in the process and was sent to the hospital for outpatient care.
