A mother and son suffered severe burns while escaping an early morning house fire in Kampung Oh, Jertih, with both sustaining injuries to nearly half their bodies
JERTIH: A 75-year-old mother and her 45-year-old son suffered severe burns while trying to escape an early morning fire at their home.
The victims, identified as Fauziah Ali and her son Azli Abu, were rushed to Besut Hospital by members of the public after the blaze.
Jertih Fire and Rescue Station chief Mustafa Ismail said his team received an emergency call at 5.14 am.
A fire engine with eight personnel was immediately dispatched to the scene in Kampung Oh.
Upon arrival, crews found a semi-permanent house 80% destroyed by the fire.
The home was occupied by the two family members, according to a statement from Mustafa.
Medical authorities confirmed both victims sustained 45% burn injuries to their bodies.
The cause of the fire and the total estimated losses are still under investigation.
Firefighters fully extinguished the blaze and concluded operations by 7.28 am.
A neighbour, Mohd Rafain Ruzlan, 30, said he heard Azli calling for help around 5 am.
“I happened to be awake at that time and was outside my house, so I rushed over,” he said when met at the scene.
Mohd Rafain stated he had to kick the main door open as the victims took time to open it.
Upon entering, he found a fire believed to have started from inside a room.
The flames had burned a mattress and were spreading, with Azli trying to extinguish them.
“I asked the victims to get out to save themselves, but I had to carry Fauziah out of the house,” he added.
Mohd Rafain noted that both victims were injured during their escape.
Azli managed to crawl out of the burning house to save himself.
