Marang district police chief Mohd Sofian Redzuan said the woman was identified as 78-year-old Razaidah Mohamad.

He said Razaidah, who had mental disabilities, was believed to have suffocated after being trapped in her bedroom at the rear of the house.

“Police received an emergency call from a member of the public via the 999 hotline at 4.30am, reporting a fire at a residence occupied by a family of four.

“Razaidah lived with her daughter and two grandchildren, who also have various disabilities, including mental and learning impairments,” he said when contacted.

Her daughter and grandchildren were saved by members of the public and sent to Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Kuala Terengganu.

Mohd Sofian said the house was 60% destroyed and that the cause of the fire was still under investigation.

He advised the public to take precautionary measures on home safety, citing the relatively high risk of fire due to the current hot weather.