The Pahang Fire and Rescue Department said the charred body of Chow Kim Mui, 70, was found by firemen in the wooden shophouse where the couple lived, and from where they ran a restaurant business. The body of her husband Ho Yok Fun, 74, has yet to be found. Firemen are still undertaking the search with the help of the department’s dog unit.
Ho’s younger brother Ho Yok Kam, 69, who told reporters at the scene about the wedding plans, said he had rushed over from his home in Kuantan, located about an hour’s drive away, as soon as he heard the news.
“When I arrived, I saw the firemen putting out the fire…then people told me my brother and sister-in-law had not been found and may have been trapped inside,” Ho said.
Yok Kam said the couple’s four children comprising two daughters and two sons, all of whom lived elsewhere, were making their way to Sungai Lembing to assist authorities for tests to identify the recovered body.
The department’s deputy director Mohd Sani Harul said the body is believed to be that of Chow as a woman’s accessories had been found with the remains.
The 32 buildings destroyed in the 1.30 am fire comprised 20 shophouses, 11 terrace homes and a library, all believed to be about 100 years old.
Regent visits Sungai Lembing, calls for unity in rebuilding
The Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, visited Sungai Lembing to extend his condolences to the victims of the fire. Expressing sadness over the deaths of the couple believed to have been trapped in their wooden shophouse where the fire is suspected to have begun, he said, “I hope those affected will be calm and united in rebuilding this village…in times like this, we must help each other.”
Tengku Hassanal, who was accompanied by state leaders, told reporters that he had also requested relevant agencies to take appropriate action to assist the 53 people from 29 families who were affected by the fire, which broke out at about 1.30 am.
Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the state government had approved emergency assistance of RM1,000 for each of the families who have been temporarily housed in the hall at the Chinese primary school.
Tengku Hassanal distributed the cash aid to the victims whom he visited at the school and said his father, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who is Yang di-Pertuan Agong, had been informed of the tragedy.
Additionally, basic needs support and food are being provided to the families through the Social Welfare Department and the Civil Defence Force.