A FORMER Malaysian Armed Forces serviceman risked his life to save eight grandchildren and a son from a raging fire that destroyed his family home in Kampung Jeriah Abang Ramli, Jalan Oya Lama, in Sibu on Monday.
The blaze reduced the two-storey semi-permanent house to ashes, leaving 19 members of three households homeless and with little more than the clothes they were wearing.
Recounting the dramatic rescue, 66-year-old Umar Sidee said he and his wife were tending to their orchard, about six metres from the house, when disaster struck.
“My wife suddenly shouted that our house was on fire. At the same time, I heard several explosions.
“As soon as I saw flames spreading from the back of the house, I ran inside and brought out all my grandchildren before rushing upstairs to wake my son,” he told Bernama.
At the time, his eight grandchildren, aged between four and 14, were watching television on the ground floor, while his son, who is in his 20s, was upstairs.
Despite his age, Umar said instinct took over as he battled thick smoke and intense heat to ensure every member of his family escaped safely.
“Although I am already elderly, all I could think about at that moment was the safety of my grandchildren and son. Thankfully, everyone got out safely,” he said.
Once all occupants had been evacuated, Umar and several villagers attempted to contain the fire using buckets of water. However, the flames spread rapidly and quickly overwhelmed their efforts.
“The fire was too intense. Many villagers came to help, but we were unable to control it,” he said.
Firefighters later arrived at the scene but ordered residents to keep their distance as conditions became increasingly hazardous, forcing family members and neighbours to watch helplessly as the house was engulfed by flames.
The destruction was particularly heartbreaking for Umar, who had spent decades building and expanding the home to accommodate his growing family.
He said construction began after he retired from the Malaysian Armed Forces in 1995 and continued while he was employed by the Public Works Department (JKR) from 2003 onwards.
“As my children grew up and started families of their own, I expanded the house bit by bit. When more grandchildren came along, I enlarged it further. It was only fully completed last year.
“But everything was destroyed in the blink of an eye,” he said.
Although important documents and valuables were lost in the blaze, Umar said he remained grateful that no lives had been claimed.
“What matters most is that my children and grandchildren are safe. Possessions can be replaced, but loved ones cannot,” he said.
The fire broke out at about 11am on Monday. The cause of the incident has yet to be disclosed. - June 9, 2026
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