A DEVASTATING house fire in Johor Bahru has claimed the lives of two teenage sisters who were unable to escape after flames rapidly spread through their family home, trapping them on the upper floor of the burning property.
The victims were identified as 15-year-old Huang Yujie and her 13-year-old sister Huang Yuning, who died following the fire at a double-storey terraced house in Taman Ehsan Jaya at about 8pm on Monday.
China Press cited the tragedy unfolded while the girls' parents were away from home, leaving neighbours scrambling to contain the blaze and assist those trapped inside.
Residents said the fire was believed to have started on the ground floor before quickly spreading throughout the house, cutting off escape routes to safety.
One neighbour told local media that the intensity of the fire prevented rescuers from reaching the upper floor in time.
"Another neighbour who lived behind the victims’ home heard one of them screaming for help. But because the windows were fitted with metal grilles, the girls couldn’t climb out and passed out due to smoke inhalation."
The Johor Fire and Rescue Department said emergency teams from the Johor Jaya, Tebrau and Kempas fire stations were immediately dispatched to the scene.
A total of 14 firefighters, supported by a Fire Rescue Tender, a Light Fire Rescue Tender, an Emergency Medical Rescue Services ambulance and a utility vehicle, were deployed to combat the blaze.
Firefighters managed to bring the situation under control, but not before approximately 60 per cent of the house had been destroyed.
Rescue personnel eventually located both sisters inside a room on the upper floor of the residence.
They were rushed to Hospital Sultan Ismail for emergency treatment but were later pronounced dead.
The incident has left relatives, friends and neighbours in shock.
A close friend of the girls' mother described the parents as devastated by the loss of their daughters, saying the couple were deeply devoted to their children.
The family friend also expressed his belief that the fire may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit, citing the speed with which the flames spread through the house.
Meanwhile, the victims' elder brother said he was studying in Kuala Lumpur and was travelling back to Johor after receiving news of the tragedy.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, with investigations ongoing.
The bodies of the two sisters remain at the hospital pending post-mortem examinations, while funeral arrangements are expected to take place on Thursday.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about residential fire safety, particularly the risks posed when homes are fitted with fixed metal grilles that can hinder emergency escape during a fire. - June 3, 2026
