A disabled man lost his life while trying to escape from his home which caught fire this morning in Taman Sri Mahkota Jaya, Kuantan.
The victim was identified as G. Vithalinggam, who had both legs amputated due to complications from diabetes and held an official OKU card.
His sister was seen weeping at the scene upon receiving the the tragic news as several people console her.
Tried to escape
Pahang JBPM director Datuk Mohd Razam Taja Rahim told Sinar Harian that firefighters from the Taman Tas Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene at 9:40am after receiving an emergency call.
While carrying out firefighting operations, the team found an unconscious Vithalinggam in a seated position on the bed. He was later pronounced dead by health officials.
Mohd Razam added no burn injuries were found on Vithalinggam’s body, suggesting that his death was caused by smoke inhalation.
He said based on the fact that Vithalinggam’s body was found in a seated position, it was possible that he tried to save himself but was prevented by the thick smoke.
Cause for fire unknown
Mohd Razam said firefighters had to break down the front door and the metal grille gate to enter the house and carry out the rescue operation.
While faulty electrical wiring is suspected to be the cause, the fire department’s forensic team is still investigating the issue and calculating the amount of losses.
Meanwhile, Vithalinggam’s sister told reporters that a neighbour informed her of the fire while she was at the clinic to seek treatment for a fall.
“I left the house at about 7am and received a call about the fire after 10am. Before leaving the house, I prepared breakfast and saw that my brother was already awake,” she said.
Our condolences to the family for their loss.
