Police are investigating a fatal fire in Taman Rathna that killed a woman and child, awaiting a survivor’s statement and forensic reports.
BUTTERWORTH: Police are conducting a detailed investigation into a fire that claimed the lives of a woman and her adopted daughter in Taman Rathna, Telok Air Tawar.
Penang Police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said authorities are also waiting for the right time to record the statement of the woman’s son to assist in the probe.
“Police are conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether the fire was linked to criminal or malicious intent, or otherwise,” he said.
He added that they are waiting for an appropriate time to record the statement of the surviving victim, as he is still receiving treatment at Seberang Jaya Hospital.
Police had earlier classified the deaths as sudden death pending post-mortem and fire forensic reports.
North Seberang Perai District Police chief ACP Anuar Abdul Rahman said the Fire Forensics team had collected several samples at the scene for analysis.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Fire and Rescue Department.
Forensic teams from the Penang Contingent Police Headquarters also conducted an investigation at the scene.
Information from the public and nearby CCTV footage showed smoke and flames spreading rapidly, engulfing part of the house structure.
In the incident, Hayani Yaakob, in her 50s, and her adopted daughter, Andra, aged five, were burnt alive after being trapped inside the house.
Hayani’s son, Daniel Quyum Kamarozlan, in his 20s, was injured by a collapsing roof structure.
Media reports said firefighters received the emergency call at 9.41 am.
The bodies of the two victims were found in the living room near the main door.
Daniel Quyum was found near the kitchen and taken to HSJ for further treatment. – Bernama
