Residents jump from flat to escape from fire

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SIBU: An eight-month pregnant woman grabbed her two-year-old son and jumped off the first floor of a burning building in the wee hours yesterday morning.

YOUNG VICTIMS: Some of the victims managed to salvage some of their belongings.

Despite almost losing grip of the toddler, both landed unhurt to the relief of spectators.

The baby was also believed to be unharmed and is expected to be delivered soon.

More than a dozen other women were among residents who were forced to leap off the four-storey flat at Brooke Drive when the building caught fire at about 3.30am. Some jumped from the first floor while others from the next level up.

The fire engulfed the corridor and stairs, cutting off the escape route.

A young woman who ran through the stairs to escape suffered a 50 per cent burnt apart from injuries on her chest and arms.

She was warded at the Intensive Care Unit of Sibu Hospital.

Two women in their 20s also sustained minor leg injuries when they jumped from the building.

According to a teenager, he saw bright lights reflected on the building next block when he woke up at 3.30am to use the toilet.

Upon checking, he saw flames spreading on the hallway and immediately alerted other occupants.

“I heard burning cracking sounds as well,” he told reporters.

Meanwhile, according to a fireman, a lorry driver passing by the area had seen four motorcycles burning on the ground floor of the flat and alerted the Fire and Rescue Department.

The firefighters put out the fire within minutes after their arrival.

Both the police and Bomba could not confirm whether the fire was an act of arson.