Three family members were killed while another survived after a fire tore through a two-storey terrace house in Taman Desa Tambun here early on Sunday.
The victims were identified as Raja Ahmad Raja Ali, 70, Zaitun Mohamed, 64, and Nik Abdurrahman Azimin Harith Helal, 18.
The sole survivor was identified as Raja Ikhwan Hadi Raja Ahmad, 47, who was sleeping on the front porch when the fire broke out.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the department received an emergency call about the blaze at 4am.
Firefighters from the Tambun and Ipoh stations arrived about 10 minutes later and found nearly 70 per cent of the 20ft by 70ft house engulfed in flames.
“Four occupants were inside when the fire broke out. The survivor was sleeping on the front porch during the incident,” she said.
Firefighters later found Raja Ahmad’s body in a bathroom on the ground floor, while the other two victims were found upstairs.
Sayani said the 18-year-old man was found in an upstairs bathroom, while the 64-year-old woman was found in a bedroom near a window.
All three victims were believed to be members of the same family.
She said the house was occupied by six people, but only four were inside when the fire occurred.
The blaze was brought under control at 4.45am and completely extinguished before the operation ended at 8am.
Firefighters also had to cut through the locked door of an unoccupied neighbouring house to facilitate firefighting operations.
A ladder was deployed at the front of the house to help contain the fire and prevent it from spreading.
A total of 25 firefighters and five vehicles, including a Fire and Rescue Tender, Compact Fire and Rescue Tender, Emergency Medical Rescue Services vehicle and water tanker, were involved in the operation.
The victims’ remains were later handed over to the police forensic team for further action.
