RANAU: A 74-year-old woman was burnt to death, while her daughter and two grandchildren sustained injuries after a fire broke out at two houses in Kampung Muhibbah early this morning.
The charred remains of Wong Ling Ying were found in the living room, believed to have fallen from her bedroom upstairs.
It is learned that the victim, her daughter, and her grandchildren were asleep when the fire broke out.
The victim is believed to have been trapped inside her room, while her daughter and grandchildren managed to jump from an upstairs window to safety during the incident.
Ranau Fire and Rescue Station chief Assistant Fire Superintendent Ridwan Mohd Taib said a team from the station was deployed to the scene after they were alerted to the incident at 1.20am.
"Upon arrival, the team found that two houses were involved, with the first house 99 per cent destroyed and the second 50 per cent gutted.
"Two vehicles, a Toyota Hilux Single Cab and a Perodua Myvi, were also destroyed," he said, adding that the team extinguished the fire using a single line with two jets sourced from a nearby fire hydrant.
He added that the charred remains of the victim were discovered in the first house after the fire was brought under control at 2.28am.
"The body was then handed over to the police," he said.
Ridwan added that the victim's 48-year-old daughter and two grandchildren, a nine-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, sustained burn injuries.
"Those injured during the fire were rushed to Ranau Hospital for further treatment.
"The operation concluded at 4.14am and the cause of the fire is still under investigation," he added.