BELURAN: A fireman had to fight a blaze at his own over-40-year-old heritage home that was destroyed in an early morning fire in Kampung Kuala Sapi, here.
The incident also left his 35-year-old brother-in-law with minor burns on his hand while escaping with three other family members.
Cliverenno Melikim said he was disspaointed and sad seeing the family home, left by his late grandfather, destroyed.
"I was on duty at the Beluran fire station when I received the call and was shocked to learn it was my own home.
"Upon arrival at the scene, I was heartbroken seeing the family home completely destroyed.
"My colleagues gave words of encouragement before we began fire-extinguishing operations," he added.
The hilly path leading to the house was under repair, Cliverenno said.
His brother-in-law, along with two children and a niece, managed to escape through a window, although his brother-in-law sustained minor burns to his hand.
Built by his grandfather and later passed down to his mother, Cliverenno said he grew up in the house.
"For now, my family is staying with relatives nearby. The house was gone in an instant, but I am grateful my family members are safe," he said.
Meanwhile, Beluran fire station chief Edoen Macheal said they received the call at 2.29am and despatched an engine and 11 personnel to the location.
"Upon arrival, we found a house ablaze and used water from a nearby river to control the fire.
"The fire was under control by 3.58am, and the operation ended at 6.25am. One victim sustained minor injuries and received first aid," he said.
The cause of the fire and the losses are still under investigation.