Image credit: Canva & Alias Abd Rani via Harian Metro
Cat for illustration purposes only.
A neighbourhood cat was said to have entered the home of one of the fire victims, taken a fish from the table, and carried it outside — as if trying to alert the occupants that danger was lurking. This action helped save a family of seven from the fire that involved four homes in Kampung Solok Wan Moh yesterday, reported Harian Metro.
Fire victim Muhammad Norsham Bibin, 31, said that on the day of the incident, he and his wife, Widyawati Niban, 40, were at home with their three children, who were asleep in a room at the time.
He said that the cat, which was not their pet, suddenly entered the house, took the fish, and left it outside without eating it.
“At first, I didn’t think much of it. But when I went outside to retrieve the fish, I noticed thick smoke coming from the neighbouring house.
‘Stealing’ fish was unusual behaviour for the cat
“I was deeply moved by the cat’s behaviour. Normally, the cat come into the house but never touch any food on the table.
“But that day, the cat took the fish as if it wanted to warn us that something bad was happening next door. I immediately told my wife that the neighbour’s house was on fire, and we quickly pulled our children outside,” he said when met.
The family lost everything, but at least they were safe
Muhammad Norsham said he was grateful that God had sent the cat to alert them, even though he and his family were unable to save their belongings.
“I’m thankful because, thanks to the cat, my family survived. No one would have expected the cat to come not to eat, but to warn us about what was happening.
“If not for that, I don’t know what would have happened to my family. The fire also destroyed my Proton Iswara Aeroback and my children’s bicycles used for school.
“I accept this test with patience. What matters most is that all my family members are safe, even though all our possessions, including the children’s school supplies, were completely destroyed,” said the security guard.
Image credit: Alias Abd Rani via Harian Metro
Another victim found out about the fire 10 minutes after leaving for work
Another victim, Mohd Razib Ibrahim, 37, said he found out that his house was on fire about 10 minutes after leaving for work.
“My wife and I didn’t have time to save anything. The only clothes left were what we were wearing to work. When a neighbour informed us, I rushed home, but the fire had already grown.
“The night before the incident, there was an electrical disruption in the house, but it was restored. However, I never expected it to end in such heartbreaking news,” said Razib, who has lived in the village for 23 years.
Morning blaze engulfed four houses
Meanwhile, Senior Operations Commander from the Penggaram Fire and Rescue Station, Norazizan Awang, said that 19 firefighters were dispatched to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 8.53am.
“The fire involved five houses, with four completely destroyed. Firefighters carried out firefighting operations and successfully extinguished the fire by 9.20am.
“In addition to the houses, a car was also burned. The operation was fully concluded at 10.58am, and the cause of the fire as well as the total losses are still under investigation,” he said.
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