Elderly man dies in longhouse fire

An elderly man was burnt to death while 95 other residents were left homeless after fire razed a 17-door longhouse in Jalan Ensurai, Sare, near here, early Sunday.

The Fire and Rescue team found the victim identified as Lowest Anak Selin, 62, in a bedroom at Saba Longhouse while clearing up the site.

According to Sarikei Fire and Rescue Station chief Suna Kahar, a team immediately went back to the site after the victim's family members informed that an elderly occupant was missing.

"After scouring the house, we found the victim's remains at 2.10pm in the bedroom. According to witnesses, the victim had dashed back into the room to salvage his belongings," he said.

When the fire broke out, 73 of the 96 occupants from 17 families were in the longhouse.

"The body has been handed over to the police and the cause of the fire and losses are being investigated," said Sunar, adding that the station was alerted of the fire at 10.08am. - BERNAMA