SELANGOR Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) fire investigations officer Abdul Halim Zulkefeli told the Shah Alam High Court today they identified two places where fire had originated in the murder of Cradle Fund chief executive officer Nazrin Hassan.

Abdul Halim, the 15th prosecution witness in the trial, said fire started on the mattress as well as Nazrin’s head, and had nothing to do with each other.

“There were traces of burnt objects on the victim’s chest and on the head but I could not determine what they were,” he said when replying to questions from Selangor prosecution director Salim Soib@Hamid before Justice Ab Karim Ab Rahman.

Abdul Halim also told the court that when examining Nazrin’s body, he found no injuries and soot stains on the back of the victim’s body, except two puncture marks and blood stains on his head.

“Therefore, I am of the opinion that before the fire occurred, Nazrin was already lying in the area where he was found (on the mattress), based on the absence of soot stains on his back. 

“I also did not find signs of the victim trying to escape the fire as his body was found at the point of origin,” he said.

Abdul Halim said based on his experience as a fireman, fire victims would usually try to escape by hiding in the bathroom or closet or try to get out using the door or the window.

“However, in this case, there were no signs on the door, whether he tried to break it from inside or tried to hide in the closet. If he (the victim) tried to break the door, we would have found the body near the door, not on the mattress,” he said.

Abdul Halim also told the court that victim could have gotten help if he was conscious when the fire broke out.

“Looking at the nature and effects of the fire, the size of the room and the place where the fire originated, if the victim was still alive he could have come out safely,” he said.

On March 12, Samirah, 44, and her two sons, aged 17 and 14, were charged, along with their Indonesian maid, Eka Wahyu Lestari, who is still at large, with Nazrin’s murder. 

They allegedly committed the offence at a home in Mutiara Homes, Mutiara Damansara, between 11.30pm on June 13, 2018 and 4am on June 14, 2018.

The trial continues tomorrow. – Bernama, December 3, 2019.