KUCHING : It was a heart-breaking news for a father as well as Fire and Rescue Department when he received news that his only daughter had perished in a teacher’s quarters fire Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Batu Bungan, Mulu, this morning.
Senior Fire and Rescue Officer II, Tiwi Nios said during his years of service he had received many an emergency calls , particularly that involving fire cases.
However, a similar call from a Marudi Fire and Rescue personnel at 6am today, almost completely sapped his willpower.
“I was momentarily stunned when was told that my daughter, Catherine Janet had perished in the fire.
“Initially, I refused to believe what I had just heard but had to accept the fact, as I had faced similar other incidents.
“I cannot believe that this had happened to my daughter,” he told NSTP.
Tiwi who is attached with the Bau Fire and Rescue Department adds that the moment he received the terrible news. He made efforts to get a flight ticket to Miri to see himself his daughter’s remains.
He said Catherine, 25, was his only daughter out of four children.
“My daughter had just returned last Friday to her school after completing the necessary tasks to further her studies at the degree level in Kota Samarahan.
“Before returning to Miri, she was quite happy. She did not show any change in her demeanour,” he said adding that his daughter had been a teacher for the past two years.
Tiwi adds that as the only daughter in family, Catherine was quite attached and affectionate with her mother and had at 6pm (Tuesday) contacted and chatted with her.
“My wife said that during their conversation, Catherine sounded very happy and joked around with her”, he said.
It is understood that Catherine who is attached with SK Penghulu Baya Mallang was staying with several of her colleagues at SK Batu Bungun. They were attending a course in Mulu.
Two others were also injured in the fire which took place at 5am and destroyed two unit’s of teachers quarters.