By Clement Erik Wong, Naziry Harizan & Osman Razali
DEBAK: Sad and heart-breaking.
Those were the words used to describe the kedai runcit (grocery shop) fire tragedy Sunday morning which claimed the lives of four family members.
New Sarawak Tribune’s visit to Kampung Dit here was reminiscent of a similar situation to that of the Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Abang Moh, Sessang fire incident in 1996 which took the lives of 14 unfortunate souls.
The atmosphere in the village was particularly gloomy today.
Family members mourned the loss of Sirin Yusuf, 62, a mother — a persistent individual who was adored by her family and the local community.
Another victim was her youngest daughter Rosni Sahari, 23, who was a former Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Diploma in Science student awaiting for her upcoming convocation ceremony.
Most heart-breaking was the loss of her two grandchildren, Dayang Aisyah Abg Jamil and Dayang Aroha Abg Jamil, aged 10 and six respectively.
Sirin Yusuf, 62 (victim) 
Rosni Sahari,23, UITM Kota Samarahan student (victim) 
Dayang Aisyah Abang Jamil,10, (victim) 
Dayang Aroha Abang Jamil, 6, (victim)
According to Betong Fire and Rescue chief Vincent Baling Yabi, the operations team found all the bodies in the shop locked from the inside.
He said initial investigation found that all four victims were suspected to have suffocated due to the thick smoke and were trapped inside the burning house.
A villager who was involved in extinguishing the blaze, said residents only became aware of the fire after it was raging.
He said that villagers were unaware there were people sleeping in the shop.
“Once informed by family members, we tried to break down the walls and doors, but to no avail. Plus, the fire at that time was blazing.
“So, we continued our efforts to try to extinguish the fire. Assistance (Bomba) only arrived after the situation was under control,” he said.
Pura Sahari,41, (Sirin’s daughter) 
Saribas assemblyman Mohammad Razi Sitam (second left) with Betong district police chief DSP Zamry Alli (left) speaking to the press.
Saribas assemblyman Mohammad Razi Sitam expressed his condolences to the victim’s family.
“I was shocked when I was informed by the media about the incident. I did not expect this at all.
“I pray for all of them to be placed among the believers and be blessed by Allah SWT,” he said.
He explained that assistance to the victim’s family was being handled by relevant agencies including his Saribas Service Centre.
“We will help accordingly,” he added.
Betong District Police chief DSP Zamry Alli said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
The bodies were taken to Betong Hospital for further examination by forensics before being handed back to the victim’s family for burial process.
