FIVE people died in an early morning fire today at a double-storey bungalow in Sg Long, Kajang, used as an old folk’s home.

The victims were identified as Leow Chong Fatt, Tee Hoi Foo, Kuan Chi Meng and Leow Han Iin, according to Selangor Fire and Rescue Department.

Its assistant director of operations, Mohd Sani Harul, said the department was summoned about 5am and sent 15 firefighters from the Kajang and Bangi fire and rescue stations.

“The fire is believed to have started from the back of the living area at the ground floor of the two-storey bungalow,” he said at a press conference at the site, adding that the source of the fire is still under investigation.

The first victim was found at 6.05am, second at 6.10am, third at 6.20am, fourth at 6.22am and fifth at 7.07am.

The report also said that there were nine occupants in the Noble Retirement Resort old folk’s home at the time of the fire.

A resident is being treated in hospital for smoke inhalation while three workers managed to escape unscathed.

Of the five victims, two were men and two were women aged from 60 to 70 and one male warden.

A neighbour, who only wanted to be known as Madam Ho, 60, said the home has been operating for more than two months.

“I was woken up by our taman’s security guards ringing our doorbell.

“The house is managed by two Pakistanis (who do not live here). We were at a loss when we saw the fire, we didn’t know what to do other than wait for the fire department to arrive,” she said.

Firefighters arrived at 5.30am and put out the fire an hour later.

District police chief Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof said police will investigate whether the home was licensed.

“The bungalow was rented out for RM6,000 a month by a manager who is a Pakistani.

“There were five old folks who lived there, three of them cannot walk and were in a wheelchair.”

The bodies were sent to Kajang Hospital for post-mortem. –  December 13, 2017.