SEMPORNA: Three young siblings were killed in a fire that destroyed their home at Km 20 Jalan Semporna in Kampung Pegagau here last night.
The charred remains of twins Harmasius Roman @ Abdullah and Fonsalina, aged 5, and their four-year-old brother, Amsalinus, were found inside a bedroom.
It was learnt that the children were at home by themselves when the wooden house caught fire about 7.40pm.
District police chief Superintendant Peter Umbuas said today that preliminary investigations found that the victims’ father had gone out to fetch their mother.
“On their way home, the parents saw thick smoke and were shocked to find out their house was on fire,” he said.
“The father tried to rescue the children but the fire was spreading fast. When the blaze was put out, the charred remains of the victims were discovered in a room near the kitchen staircase.”
Umbuas said he believed that the children had tried to escape but failed, adding that police had ruled out foul play.
District fire and rescue chief Fazizul Hizam Borhan said two fire engines and 10 personnel were deployed to the scene after a distress call was received at 7.47pm.
“When they arrived at the scene, 95 per cent of the house was on fire,” he said.
“The firefighters brought the fire under control at 9pm,” he said, adding that the children’s bodies were handed to police and the cause of fire was being investigated.