Thursday August 4, 2011

A fire victim’s wish for Raya

By NG AI FERN
aifern@thestar.com.my

KUCHING: Tuah Adam could not ask for more this Hari Raya Puasa than the safety of his newborn daughter who was rescued from a burning house at Kampung Tabuan Hilir last week.

The 35-year-old was glad that his daughter, Norqalisa Balqis, who was only eight days old during the fire, was reported to be healthy after a medical check-up although she had inhaled smoke during the incident.

“I lost almost everything in the fire but the most important thing is that my children are safe,” said Tuah after receiving aid from Santubong MP Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and the Welfare Department yesterday.

Recalling the incident, Tuah said it was actually his three-year-old son Ashrah Dainell who saved the family.

“It was about 2am when I woke up to feed Ashrah milk and heard neighbours screaming for help. Me and my wife immediately carried Norqalisa and Ashrah and left the house,” he said.

Nabila Sarjono, 20, hugging her 15-day-old daughter Norqalisa Balqis Tuah. She saved the baby and her three-year-old son Ashrah Daniell from the fire which destroyed her rented house and eight other houses at Kampung Tabuan Hilir here recently. Norqalisa had inhaled smoke during the fire but a medical checkup found that she was in good health.

His three cousins who were staying with him at the house also escaped to safety.

Tuah, a factory worker from Asajaya, normally returns home to celebrate Raya every year. This time, after all valuables were destroyed in the fire, he has to think twice.

“We are now staying in another rented house in the neighbourhood. (But) the owners let us stay for free. Raya wish? I have not thought that far yet, I just want to make sure my children are okay now.”

Nine houses at the village were destroyed in the fire on July 27. Eight families, consisting of some 60 people, are now homeless and staying with their neighbours.

Necessities such as food, cash, clothes, school uniforms, stationary, kitchen utensils, mattresses and pillows were given to the victims yesterday.

The assistance from the government departments, politicians and non-profit organisations was indeed timely for the victims who are now fasting.

Another victim, Rosli Achang, 54, with seven children from 14 to 25 years old, was glad that many people came to assist so they would not have to worry about basic necessities such as food and lodging for the time being. Apart from the nine families, Junaidi also provided financial assistance to six units of flat in Tabuan Park to rebuild their roof which was blown away on July 26.