[UPDATED] Three family members killed in Tambun house fire

IPOH: Three family members were killed while another survived when a fire destroyed their two-storey terrace house at Taman Desa Tambun here early today.

The dead were identified as Raja Ahmad Raja Ali, 70, Zaitun Mohamed, 64, and Nik Abdurrahman Azimin Harith Helal, 18.

The sole survivor was identified as Raja Ikhwan Hadi Raja Ahmad, 47.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the department received an emergency call about the fire at 4am.

She said firefighters from the Tambun and Ipoh stations arrived 10 minutes later and found nearly 70 per cent of the 20ft by 70ft home ablaze.

"Four occupants were inside when the fire broke out. The survivor was sleeping on the front porch during the incident," she said.

Sayani said firefighters found the body of Raja Ahmad in a bathroom on the ground floor.

Two other victims, an 18-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman, were found upstairs.

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"One victim was found in the upstairs bathroom, while the other was found in a bedroom near a window," she said.

She said all three victims were believed to be members of the same family.

"The house was occupied by six people, but only four were inside when the incident occurred," he said.

Sayani said the blaze was brought under control at 4.45am and completely extinguished before the operation ended at 8am.

She said firefighters also had to cut through the locked door of the neighbouring unoccupied house to facilitate firefighting operations.

"A ladder was also deployed at the front of the house to help firefighters contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading.

"A total of 25 firefighters and five vehicles, including a Fire and Rescue Tender, Compact Fire and Rescue Tender, Emergency Medical Rescue Services vehicle and water tanker, were involved in the operation," she said.

She added the victims' remains were later handed over to the police forensic team for further action.