Brother recounts failed attempt to pull mother to safety as grilles trap victims in Tambun fire

Ipoh, September 20 - A brother recounted his unsuccessful attempt to rescue their mother from a fire that claimed the lives of their elderly parents and their 18-year-old nephew in Tambun, Ipoh, early this morning. Raja Ikhwan Hadi Raja Ahmad, 47, explained that his younger brother, Raja Muhammad Shukri, 30, managed to grasp their mother's hand and attempted to pull her to safety, but the metal grilles on the balcony prevented him from rescuing her.

The fire had already spread when Raja Ikhwan Hadi, the eldest of five siblings, entered the two-storey terraced house at Persiaran Desa Tambun 4, Taman Desa Tambun. Thick smoke obscured visibility, and neighbors who arrived to assist were also unsuccessful in their rescue efforts. An elderly couple and their 18-year-old grandson perished in the blaze.

Raja Ikhwan Hadi, who had sensed an impending disaster hours before the incident, stated that his mother had expressed unease about something dreadful about to occur. Nik Abdurrahman Azimin Harith's father, Helal Zamri, 37, learned of the tragedy around 5:30 am, noting that his son had grown up in the house and was raised by his maternal grandparents.

Helal Zamri, who worked alongside his son in their catering business, expressed shock at the sudden turn of events. Raja Ikhwan Hadi managed to displace a motorcycle from the parking area but lamented the lack of time to salvage any additional possessions.