Single mother burnt to death in fire in Sandakan

A single mother met a fiery end when fire broke out and destroyed the upper level of her house in Taman Indah Jaya near here yesterday.

Operation chief of Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station Devi Rashedee Ensoi said the charred body of Hasnah Astan, 42, was found by the bed in the master bedroom.

He said two fire engines and 16 firemen were rushed to the scene after receiving the distress call at 8.18pm, but the blaze had already destroyed the upper level of the house when they arrived.

Devi Rashedee said the charred body was taken to Duchess of Kent Hospital for post mortem.

The woman's son and daughter, aged eight and seven, were not at home when the mishap occurred. Meanwhile, acting Sandakan police chief Supt Fadzil Mohd Ali said investigations were being done to ascertain the actual cause of fire.