MELAKA: Two young sisters died while their mother is in critical condition after their rented room at Plaza Mahkota, Banda Hilir here, caught fire this afternoon.
Melaka Tengah district police chief Assistant Commissioner Christopher Patit said the victims were Nuralia Karisa Abdullah, 12, and her two-year-old sister Nur Riaisha Zahra.
Their mother Azliha Ngah Ariffin, 40, is still being treated and is in critical condition.
He said police received a call about the fire at 1.32pm from a man who owns the premises.
"The shop owner noticed the fire on the upper floor of his shop around 1.30pm and immediately called the fire and rescue department.
"Two officers and 38 personnel from Bukit Katil , Jalan Kubu and Ayer Keroh fire and rescue stations were deployed on three fire engines and an Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP).
"Also assisting them were personnel on three ambulances from MERS/Red Crescent and Melaka Hospital," he said in a statement.
Police said that witnesses Lem Wee Suan, 22, and the shop owner's wife, known as Catrina, revealed that they noticed the fire when thick smoke entered their room on the second floor.
Christopher added that they immediately exited the building to save themselves and were taken to Melaka Hospital for treatment.
"In the operation, the fire department rescued three victims trapped in a room on the third floor (Lot 3-27) who were unconscious and transported them to the Melaka Hospital.
"A hospital spokesperson confirmed that the two children were pronounced dead at the Melaka Hospital, while the mother remains in critical condition."
Christopher added that investigations revealed that the first floor has five rented rooms, with only one room occupied by a tenant.
"The second floor has 10 rented rooms, with only four rooms occupied by six people, while the third floor has six rooms rented by the three victims.
"During the incident, apart from the three victims, all other tenants were believed to be out working," he said.
Meanwhile, Melaka Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Pisar Aziz said an initial report indicated that the fire started on the first floor.
"Initially, we also received assistance from members of the public who were repairing the building and they used a skylift to rescue a couple. We also evacuated the victims using the stairs."
He said the exact cause and the extent of the damage are still under investigation.