MIRI: A paralysed man lost his life in a fire which destroyed a 35-door longhouse in Suai, Niah, located some 200 km from here on Wednesday night that left more than 300 villagers homeless.
In the 11pm incident, the body of Kenidit Ali, 40, was found with burn marks on his body lying outside the longhouse’s compound.
The fire destroyed about 100 per cent of the Akai Anggat longhouse. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and losses are yet to be ascertained.
A fire engine from Miri Fire and Rescue Station with six firemen dashed to the scene upon being notified of the fire.
Fire fighters from Batu Niah volunteer fire fighting team were also rushed to the scene to assist.
According to sources, Kenidit and his mother Ringga Anja in her 80s had tried to escape from the fire upon seeing smoke and sensing burning heat coming from their kitchen.
Unfortunately, the fire spread rapidly and engulfed the wooden longhouse.
The sources said Ringga then pushed Kenidit out of their room but by then Kenedit was overpowered by the smoke and burning heat.
“Upon reaching the ‘tanju’ (balcony), my brother (Kenidit) threw himself on the floor and hurt his head in the process,” said Suyong Ali, 60, the elder brother of the paralysed man, to The Borneo Post.
Their mother fortunately sustained only minor burns on her back and arms.
Earlier that night, it was said that Kenidit’s friends came to visit him and had a barbeque together to have some fun after receiving flood relief aid of RM500 from the government.
Kenidit’s body has been sent to Miri Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.