Five Young Lives Lost in Sabah Fire; Pregnant Mother Hospitalized

KOTA KINABALU: A pregnant woman was rushed to the hospital amidst a tragic fire that claimed the lives of five children in Sabah on Monday afternoon. The fire swept through their residence, leading to a heart-wrenching outcome for the families involved.

The victims have been identified as Raisa, four, along with her sisters Raidah, three, and Raina, one. Also among the deceased were two neighbors, Almidah, 14, and three-year-old Siti Faridah. Their remains were found together in the bathroom, a somber indication of the chaos during the blaze.

According to Agustavia Joe Guasi, the Chief of the Lintas Fire and Rescue Services Department, the fire erupted while the pregnant woman was dealing with severe labor contractions. “She was about to head to the Likas Women and Children’s Hospital when the fire broke out,” Guasi reported, noting the tragic overlap of events.

Following a distress call received at 12:44 PM, 33 firefighters from Lintas, Kota Kinabalu, and Putatan stations were dispatched to the scene at Jalan Lembaga Padi, Lorong Burung Keleto in Likas. The fire rapidly spread, leading to the destruction of three houses, a storeroom, and a small shop.

“The woman has been transported to the hospital, where we understand she has given birth,” Guasi added, although no further personal information about her was released.

In a heartbreaking response, Wahid Maulan, the father of the two young victims, expressed his sorrow over the unexpected loss. A construction worker, he last spoke with his daughters, Siti Faridah and Almidah, the previous day, promising them some money when he returned home from work.

“I said goodbye to them, asking them to pray for my work to go well. I never expected that would be our final moment together,” he reflected, filled with grief.

After receiving news of the fire, Wahid hurried back from Kota Belud, only to confront the tragic reality of his daughters’ demise. “Although this pain is unbearable, I accept that it was Allah’s decision for them to leave us so soon,” he shared, wrestling with his loss.