The burnt bodies found at the location.
KOTA KINABALU : – Five girls aged one year to 14 perished in a fire at a squatter settlement in Likas on Monday.
The victims were from two families. They were identified as Raina Adrian, one, and her siblings Raida, three, and Raisa, four; their neighbours: Siti Faridah Wahid, three, and her elder sister Almidah, 14.
The fire broke out at 12.40pm at Jalan Lembaga Padi, Lorong Burung Keleto, Likas.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Kasim Muda said the fire destroyed three houses and a sundry shop.
“The charred remains of the victims were found in the bathroom of one of the houses,” he said, adding the case was classified as sudden death.
Sabah Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said an emergency call was received at 12.47pm.
He said 35 officers and personnel, along with fire engines and the Emergency Medical Response Services (EMRS), rushed to the scene.
Firefighters at the scene of the fire.
“Firefighting operations were led by the Lintas Fire and Rescue Station and supported by the Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, and Putatan stations,” said Farhan, adding the fire was brought under control by 1.29pm.
Lintas Fire and Rescue Station chief Agustavia Joe Guasi said three of the victims were children of a pregnant woman who was taking care of them and the remaining two victims, her neighbour’s children, were in the house when the incident occurred.
All the victims were recovered and handed over to the police for further action.
The Fire and Rescue Department’s Forensic Team are investigating the cause of the fire and the total loses.
