Kampung lok buta: The family members of three children who tragically perished in a fire at Kampung Lok Buta, Numbak, were unaware that the young ones were trapped inside their burning home when the incident unfolded. M Nasir Jalani, 68, the grandfather of the victims, recounted waking up to the sound of one of his children screaming about their neighbor's house being on fire.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, M Nasir attempted to save his home but was forced to flee when it became clear it could not be salvaged. He re-entered the house in search of the children, unaware they were trapped in a room. "If I knew they were in the room, perhaps I could have saved them," he lamented at the scene.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, also the Sepanggar Member of Parliament, was present to offer support to the grieving family. M Nasir had invited his grandchildren to stay with him to celebrate a family wedding, never anticipating the ensuing tragedy. The family realized the children were missing only after reaching safety.

The early morning fire destroyed over 200 houses and claimed the lives of Nana Abdullah, 4, her brother Mohd Asrul Abdullah, 6, and their cousin Nurfarahdilah Mohd Tajihah, 8. Meanwhile, Roslani Ladin, 65, recounted rescuing over 10 family members by using a boat to ferry them to safety. Although his home was eventually consumed by the flames, Roslani managed to relocate his family temporarily to one of his children's homes. Having lived in Kampung Lok Buta for over 20 years, he noted this was the first fire to occur in their community.