By JAMES LEONG
SANDAKAN: An elderly man perished in a fire that completely destroyed a wooden stilt house in Kampung Mumiang water village, 70 KM from here on Tuesday night.
The victim, identified as 77-year-old Lee Thung Mong, was believed to have been trapped inside the 20 x 30-foot wooden structure. The elderly man had mobility issues and used a walking stick. His sister, who also lived in the house, managed to escape by jumping out of the kitchen window.
The State Fire and Rescue Operations Centre received an emergency call through NG999 at 7.19 pm. A team of eight firefighters from the Sandakan Fire and Rescue station were transported to the location by a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) boat.
The crew faced significant challenges en route, including no land access and low tide conditions, which complicated navigation. They arrived at the scene at 11.40 pm, said Jimmy Lagung, the officer-in-charge of Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station, when contacted on Wednesday.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that villagers had already initiated firefighting efforts using their own water pumps. The victim was first found inside the burnt structure by General Operations Force (PGA) personnel who were already at the location, he added.
Firefighters then conducted operations to extinguish remaining embers and safely retrieve the victim’s body. The charred remains were handed over to the police for further action. The operation concluded at 12.35 am, Jimmy added.
The operation involved a multi-agency response, including eight personnel from APMM, five from the PGA, and eight from police. The operation was led by Commander PBK I Chauslim Sunsubin, alongside Senior Commander Jimmy Lagung and Sandakan Zone Officer Mohd Faizal Wahid.
Meanwhile, in Semporna, a missing person case involving a soldier has been resolved.
Fredenick Anak Petrus, 21, who was previously reported missing, has been found safe. He was located and escorted to the Muara Tuang Camp in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, by Military Police at about 5.00 pm on March 19.
Semporna district police confirmed that the case has been classified as closed, and expressed gratitude to all parties involved for their cooperation.
The fire at Kampung Mumiang water village, 70 KM from Sandakan where an elderly man perished on Tuesday night.
