BETONG: A 5-year-old boy was burned to death in a blaze that destroyed 11 units of the Polly Sulau Longhouse in Bukong Asal, here today.
Betong Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) Operations Officer Henry Jugah said they found the victim's remains in the kitchen of unit 11 of the longhouse.
"The victim's body was found at noon while overhaul work was being carried out," he said in a statement.
He added the victim's body was handed over to the police before it was taken to Betong Hospital for further action.
The victim's 25 -year -old mother and 2-year-old brother were rushed to the hospital after sustaining 32.5 and 44.5 per cent burns respectively in the incident.
Henry said the team from BBP Betong rushed to the incident located some 17km from the station, after receiving a report on the incident at 9.22am.
He said department personnel faced challenges in reaching the location due to the road being narrow and hilly.
Upon arrival, he said they had to get water from a nearby pond using a transport pump, apart from using water from a fire tender to put out the fire. He added although the fire was extinguished, the 50ft by 220ft-long longhouse inhabited by 59 residents was completely destroyed, leaving them homeless.
