KUALA LUMPUR: Lokman Marni did not expect his birthday celebration on Dec 26 last year will be the last time he would meet his two grandchildren.
The 57-year-old was devastated after learning that his two grandchildren died in the pre-dawn fire at Jalan Dewan Simpang Tiga Kampung Tanggut near here.
The victims were identified as Nur Syafiza Alfisya Muhammad Fauzan, 9 and her brother, Muhammad Al Qayyum Muhammad Fauzan, 6.
"We had a great family time together. Unfortunately, they are no longer with us. The rescuers said that my grandchildren are completely burned.
"Nur Syafiza was found inside the main room (of the house). They do not look recognisable, according to the rescuers
"Nur Syafiza has asthma, maybe she would have fainted from the smoke," a grieving Lokman said when met at the scene here today.
He said his daughter and son-in-law, who are the victims' parents, were out for a meal when the fire broke out. They locked the front door as the children were asleep at the time.
He shared that his daughter was eight months pregnant
"She probably craved food. That was the reason why they (the parents of the two children) were out at the time.
"I did advise them not to leave the children alone. It is dangerous," Lokman said.
Lokman said the parents arrived at the scene after they were alerted about the fire.
They ran towards the house as rescuers were trying to put out the fire, he said.
He added that the children's mother tripped and fell down when she was running towards the house. Her leg was pierced with glass fragments and she was rushed to Selayang Hospital for treatment.
"The doctor scanned and the baby is safe," he said.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Norazam Khamis said the department received an emergency call about the incident at 3.45am.
He said the fire had already engulfed almost 70 per cent of the house when the team arrived at the scene.
"The team took about 10 minutes to control the fire," he was reported saying.