KENINGAU – A man sustains burns on his body after allegedly setting his house on fire in an incident at Kampung Kiukad Lotong, Tambunan, here, yesterday.
In the 10.30pm incident, the 62-year-old man was believed to have acted that way after a dispute with his wife.
District police chief Deputy Superintendent Nor Rafidah Kasim said the police received a call from members of the public on the fire at 10.36pm and they informed the Fire and Rescue Department.
"Investigation revealed that the man, who is also the owner of the house, had a dispute with his wife up to the point that he set fire on the premises.
"The victim sustained injuries and according to a witness, the man sustained the burns as he was setting the house on fire,” she told Sinar Harian.
Rafidah said apart from the injuries and house that was razed by fire, a vehicle was also damaged in the incident.
"He sustained about 40 per cent burns while his wife was unharmed as she was not at home during the time of the incident,” she said.
Rafidah said the case is being investigated to find out the cause of the incident and the estimated loss is still unknown.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Fire and Rescue Department said a team of firemen from Tambunan station was deployed to the scene, which was located about 21 kilometre.
"Upon arrival, we saw a house that was 100 per cent razed in fire and an Isuzu D-Max vehicle was 30 per cent burnt.
"Our fire engine had difficulties accessing the location due to the narrow road and the team had to use a four-wheel drive for two kilometres from the main road to the location,” he said.
He said the victim was given early treatment at the location by the Emergency Medical Response Service (EMRS) before he was sent to the hospital for further treatment.
The operation, he said, was under control at 11.10pm and was called off at 12.10am.