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AN ELDERLY man was tragically killed after a fire completely destroyed his home on Jalan Minah in Sarikei in the early hours of Saturday.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight, according to a spokesperson from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department’s Operations Centre (PGO JBPM).
Emergency services received the distress call at 12.33am, prompting the deployment of fire engines from the Sarikei Fire and Rescue Station, supported by crews from Bintangor, to the site approximately five kilometres from the station. Fifteen firefighters arrived at the scene by 12.39am.
The operation commander reported that the blaze engulfed a non-permanent structure, reducing the house to total destruction. A storage shed and two vehicles on the property were also completely destroyed. The home was occupied by six residents, but only five were present at the time of the fire.
“Four of the residents managed to escape the blaze,” the spokesperson said, “however, an elderly man was believed to have been trapped inside the house.”
Firefighters later discovered the victim’s body beneath the debris in a bedroom at 2.18am. The charred remains were handed over to police at 3.35am for further investigation, while the victim’s identity has yet to be confirmed.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire, with emergency personnel highlighting the importance of safety measures in preventing such tragedies. - November 16, 2025
