Brother recounts failed attempt to pull mother to safety as grilles trap victims in Tambun fire

Raja Ikhwan Hadi Raja Ahmad, 47, the son of the elderly couple who died in the fire, breaks down in grief as he recalls the tragedy that claimed his family members at Persiaran Desa Tambun 4, Taman Desa Tambun in Ipoh September 20, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Sunday, 20 Sep 2026 5:07 PM MYT

IPOH, Sept 20 — A man described how his younger brother tried to save their mother from a fire early this morning but was unable to pull her out because metal grilles on the balcony blocked the way.

Raja Ikhwan Hadi Raja Ahmad, 47, said his younger brother, Raja Muhammad Shukri, 30, had managed to reach their mother’s hand and tried to pull her to safety, but the grilles prevented him from getting her out of the house.

The fire claimed the lives of their elderly parents, Zaitun Mohamed, 64, and Raja Ahmad Raja Ali, 70, as well as their nephew, Nik Abdurrahman Azimin Harith Helal, 18, in the two-storey terraced house at Persiaran Desa Tambun 4, Taman Desa Tambun here.

Raja Ikhwan Hadi, the eldest of five siblings, said he was asleep near the parking area of his house when he heard his nephew shouting for help, followed by the sound of breaking glass at about 4am.

He said he tried to enter the house but was unable to do so as the fire was already raging and the smoke was thick, while neighbours who came to help also failed to rescue those trapped inside.

An elderly couple and their grandson were killed in a fire involving a two‑storey terraced house at Persiaran Desa Tambun 4, Taman Desa Tambun in Ipoh early this morning. — Bernama pic

“I called for help from the neighbours, who contacted the Fire and Rescue Department and tried to save those inside the house, but they were unsuccessful,” he told reporters at the scene here today.

Raja Ikhwan Hadi said that several hours before the incident, his mother had told him that she had an uneasy feeling, as though something was about to happen.

Meanwhile, Helal Zamri, 37, the father of Nik Abdurrahman Azimin Harith, said he was informed of the incident at about 5.30am and that his son had lived in the house since he was a child and was raised by his maternal grandparents.

“The last time I saw my son and his maternal grandparents was earlier this week, and they were their usual selves, with no sign that anything was amiss. My son worked with me in our catering business,” he said.

Raja Ikhwan Hadi said he had managed to move a motorcycle from the parking area but there was not enough time to save anything else. — Bernama