GEORGE TOWN: An 86-year-old woman was rescued from her home in Jalan Mano here after she was unable to leave the residence due to the sheer amount of garbage inside.
The state Civil Defence Force was deployed to the house at 4.40pm yesterday after her family members called for help, claiming that the woman, who lives alone, was unwell.
Civil Defence Force northeast district officer, Muhammad Aizat Abdul Ghani, said the woman was unable to walk and had difficulty leaving the double-storey house due to the large amounts of rubbish and recyclable materials that she had amassed over the years.
"The woman wants to live in a nearby old folk's home. However, due to her poor health and difficulty navigating around the mountains of rubbish in the house, her family reached out for help.
"Four Civil Defence Force personnel were roped in for the task. She was carried out using a stretcher," he said when contacted.
Muhammad Aizat said the woman was given first-aid treatment.
He said the woman had diabetes, hypertension, hearing problems and was physically frail.
"The woman, who is unmarried and lives alone, is believed to have started amassing junk and recyclables years ago.
"Her family claimed that she was prone to falls and would call them in the middle of the night to seek help.
"As such, her family wants to send her to an old folk's home after obtaining her consent," he said.
Checks showed that the hoarded materials were not just limited to indoors but also in the compound.
Piles of junk were seen strewn all over the porch area, which also housed three cars.
As reporters visited the area, a woman, who claimed to be the house owner, called out from an upstairs window.
Although initially angry, the woman's tone changed to a friendly one after the reporter asked about her condition.
"Don't worry, I'm all good. I'm just having a meal now. My family comes to visit once in a while.
"I've actually called for cleaners to come and tidy up the place but they didn't show up.
"I don't cook at home. Someone delivers food to me.
"Why don't you all go on home. I will move when I decide to move," she said.