RAUB FIRE : THREE VICTIMS FOUND IN BATHROOM, TWO OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

RAUB, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Three victims who died in a fire at a house in Kampung Pamah Kulat, here early this morning were found in the bathroom while two others were found outside the house.

Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said the victims found in the bathroom were a man and a woman and their daughter.

He said two female victims who were believed to have tried to escape were found outside the two-room house.

"Two girls were found burnt outside the house by firefighters upon arrival to carry out the operation at 4.15 am.

"Three others were found in a bucket of water with burn injuries as soon as the fire was fully extinguished," he told reporters when met at the scene, which was also attended by Pahang JBPM director Datuk Mohd Razam Taja Rahim.

Explaining further, he said the victims likely realised the fire when it was already raging, making it difficult for them to escape.

"Initial investigations found that the exit route was not equipped with iron grilles that could be opened quickly and they most likely realised the fire was raging when there was limited visibility, making it difficult for them to escape.

"Whatever all this will be concluded after the investigation is done, and for now we will bring in the sniffer dog unit to conduct further investigations to identify if there are other elements involved," he said.

Bernama's inspection of the scene found that two dogs, Cleo and Derry, were at the scene to assist in the investigation.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Mohd Razam Taja Rahim reportedly said his team arrived at the incident scene that claimed the lives of five in a family at 4.15 am and the fire was successfully brought under control at 4.48 am.

He said the fire had completely destroyed the house structure, three cars and three motorcycles. 

— BERNAMA