Tragedy Strikes as Fire Claims Lives of Five Young Children in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A devastating fire incident occurred on Monday afternoon in Sabah, leading to the heartbreaking loss of five young lives, including three children of a pregnant woman who was rushed to the hospital. The flames engulfed their home, leaving behind a scene of unimaginable grief.

The deceased have been identified as Raisa, aged four, along with her two younger sisters, Raidah, aged three, and one-year-old Raina. Two neighboring children, Almidah, 14, and Siti Faridah, just three years old, were also tragically lost in the fire. Their lifeless bodies were discovered together in the bathroom of the home, a stark reminder of the tragedy that unfolded.

Agustavia Joe Guasi, Chief of the Lintas Fire and Rescue Services Department, stated that the fire broke out at a critical moment. The pregnant mother, who was responsible for seven children, began experiencing labor pains as she was preparing to leave for Likas Women and Children’s Hospital. “Her contractions became severe just as the fire ignited,” Guasi explained, highlighting the tragic timing of the event.

Upon receiving the distress call at 12:44 PM, a swift response was mobilized, involving 33 firefighters from the Lintas, Kota Kinabalu, and Putatan stations. The fire erupted at Jalan Lembaga Padi, Lorong Burung Keleto in Likas and rapidly spread, ultimately destroying three houses, a storeroom, and a sundry shop.

“The pregnant woman was quickly taken to the hospital, where we have been informed she has since welcomed her baby,” Guasi continued, although details about her condition and identity remain unavailable at this time.

In a separate account of sorrow, Wahid Maulan, 44, the father of two of the deceased children, shared his profound grief. He expressed his heartache over the loss of his daughters, Almidah and Siti Faridah. Just a day before the tragedy, Wahid had promised them some pocket money upon his return from work in Kota Belud.

“I kissed both of my daughters goodbye, asking them to pray for my work to go smoothly, so I could provide them with more spending money. I never imagined that would be the last time I would see them,” he lamented.

Wahid rushed back from Kota Belud upon hearing the news of the fire, only to be confronted with the painful reality of his daughters’ deaths. “Though this burden is incredibly heavy, I accept it as Allah’s will that they were taken from us at such a tender age,” he said, struggling to cope with the immense loss.