UMNO branch chief, grandchildren die in Sandakan fire

A grassroot UMNO leader and two of his granddaughters perished in a fire at a house in Kampung Baru here last night.

The charred remains of Kampung Baru UMNO branch chief Osman Lawidu, 60, known also as Pak Osman among the villagers, and the two children, Nurul Natsha, 11, and Nurul Musdalifah, 10, were found side by side in a room.

Fire and Rescue zone chief Anddre Andrew said only Osman and his two granddaughters were in the house at the time.

"His wife and their daughter who is the mother of the two girls were looking after another granddaughter who was being treated at the hospital," he said.

Ten officers and personnel led by Anddre went to the scene in two fire trucks and a utility vehicle upon receiving a distress call at 9.30pm last night.

"We completed the operation at 1.34am today," he said, adding, the cause of the fire was being investigated. -- Bernama