GEORGE TOWN: A Year Two pupil who was playing inside a container for traders’ goods at Jalan Pintasan Bahagia, Bayan Baru, here, was burnt to death when it caught fire at noon today.
The child, who sustained 100 per cent burn injuries, was identified as Muhammad Saifuddin Ali Subahan, 8.
It is believed that he had been playing with a lighter when the incident occurred.
Firefighters found Saifuddin’s charred remains in a sitting position in a corner of the container after they doused the flames about 20 minutes after receiving a distress call on the situation at 12.15pm.
Southwest district police chief Superintendent AA Anbalagan said that an eyewitness, whose hair caught fire in the incident, claimed that he saw the victim playing with a lighter moments before the container was razed.
“All of a sudden, fire engulfed the container, and the victim was trapped inside. About 80 per cent of the container was destroyed in the fire,” Anbalan said today, adding that an investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, but that police have ruled out foul play.
“The case is currently classified as ‘sudden death.’
“The victim’s remains were sent to the Penang Hospital for a post-mortem,” he said, adding that more details will be released once police obtain a report from firefighters.
According to Anbalagan, the container, which housed a sofa, had become a hangout spot for nearby villagers.
“We believe the victim had gone inside the container to play,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bayan Baru fire station chief Muhammad Tarmizi Abdul Salam said that they received a distress call at about 12.15pm and arrived at the scene nine minutes later.
“By the time we arrived, about 80 per cent of the container had been razed. It was only then we were told that there was a child inside.
“When we managed to put out the fire at about 12.40pm, we found the victim inside and managed to retrieve him,” he added.
Meanwhile, a poignant scene unfolded when Saifuddin’s body arrived at the Penang Hospital mortuary, where his father, Subahan Senni Santar Abdullah, 37, was waiting.
More than 50 others had gathered there to lend support to the grieving father, who was openly weeping.
Saifuddin was the third of four siblings. It is learnt that his mother had given birth just 30 days ago.
He is expected to be buried at the Jalan Perak Muslim cemetery later tonight.