KUCHING: A lawyer was burnt to death in a fire that destroyed the second floor of a shophouse at Jalan Ang Cheng Ho here yesterday.
The 8.35pm incident claimed the life of a man identified as Kong Chiew Huat @ King Chiu Huat, aged 66.
According to a spokesman of the State Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), 23 firefighters in two fire engines, two EMRS vehicles and two rapid intervention motorcycles (RIMs) from Kuching and Batu Lintang fire stations were dispatched to the scene after receiving a distress call at 8.46pm.
Upon arrival at the scene at 8.54pm, the firefighters found the top floor of the three-storey building engulfed in flames.
It was learned that the victim rushed to the scene after being notified on the incident involving his premises. Shortly after his arrival, the victim went straight up to his house located on the second floor despite being stopped by members of the public.
It was believed that he failed to escape the fire and his charred remains were later found in the living room by firefighters.
The spokesman said the victim was the owner of a law firm located on the first floor of the same shophouse.
It was believed the cause of the fire was due to short-circuit.
The victim’s body was handed over to police personnel who send it to the Sarawak General Hospital for a post mortem. The estimated losses and actual cause of fire were still under investigation.
State Bomba Assistant Operations Director, Tiong Ling Hii was also at the scene.
