Tanjung MCA division youth chief Lim Swee Bok’s mother, wife and two young children perished in the 6am fire. He was away at work.

The deceased were identified as Lau Sai Poh, 62, Chen Yen, 35, Yin Chun, 9, and Jia Yiin, 8.

Lim had just lost his father, who had died last week.

Northeast district police chief ACP Anuar Omar said the fire was under control in about 30 minutes and did not spread to neighbouring houses.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department officials said 60% of the house had been destroyed and that the fire started on the ground floor.

The department spokesperson said two adults and a child were found on the ground floor while another child was found on the first floor of the house.

Six fire engines and 20 firemen put out the fire at 7.10am.

A blogger who goes by the name Lim Sian See said Swee Bok was a selfless man and had been helping with flood relief for the past two weeks.

He said Swee Bok was a factory worker and was on the midnight shift when the fire occurred.

“…after his father’s funeral, he was still helping out in flood relief and distributing flood aid to victims.

“He is an ordinary hero faced with over-whelming tragedy and challenges where his life has been turned upside down,” Lim said in a Facebook posting.