GERIK: Preliminary police investigation found no foul play or criminal elements in the death of an elderly mother and her disabled daughter who were found burnt in a hut fire at Kampung Air Ganda here, today.
District police chief Superintendent Zulkifli Mahmood said that police were informed of the incident at 7am and the fire managed to be put out by members of the public.
"They were also informed that there were two bodies in the hut. Gerik Police Station also received a report from a 37-year-old man who is also the son and brother of the victims.
"Police confirmed that the bodies belonged to the 76-year-old woman and her 43-year-old daughter who is also disabled," he said in a statement today.
Zulkifli said that the scene was located far from the main road and people needed to use an unpaved road to go to the orchard area.
"The hut was about 30x20 feet and was made completely of wood.
Police have also interviewed the victim's husband who realised the fire started at the kitchen area at about 4am.
"He tried to save his wife and daughter but couldn't do so. He immediately sought help from the villagers but once arrived, the hut was completely burnt down.
"The husband also admitted that the hut was built to tend the garden. The hut is equipped with solar lamps and a cooking area," he added.
Zulkifili said that police found no criminal elements at the scene and the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
"..Further examination of the bodies found no other injuries or any criminal elements," he said.