KUCHING: A 13-year-old girl was killed after she became trapped in a fire that engulfed a double-storey terraced house at Lorong 5, Permai Jaya, Tupong Ulu, in the early hours of today.
The victim was pronounced dead by paramedics after being rescued from the burning house. Her body was handed over to the police for further action.
Meanwhile, a 14-year-old boy, who was also trapped in the house, was rushed to hospital by ambulance for further treatment. He is reportedly in stable condition.
The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said both victims were trapped inside the house when the blaze broke out at around 2.20am, prompting firefighters to force their way into the burning building in a rescue attempt.
Firefighters entered the smoke-filled house, rescued both victims and administered initial treatment at the scene before handing them over to paramedics.
The fire destroyed about 70 per cent of the house and the extinguishing deed was performed using water from their fire engine.
The operation, which ended at 3.40am, involved 17 firefighters from Petra Jaya and Tabuan Jaya stations, while police and paramedics were also deployed to the scene.
The cause of the fire and losses incurred are still under investigation.
