Man sustains burns after setting house on fire

KOTA KINABALU: A man, believed to be mentally unstable, sustained burns to his body after setting his house on fire in the Tambunan district.

Igging Angkangon, 62, was said to have gone berserk following an argument with his wife before deciding to torch his house at Kg Kiukad Lotong, at around 10.30pm on Friday (June 17).

Keningau OCPD Deputy Supt Nor Rafidah Kasim said the man’s actions caused his house and a car to be destroyed, and himself, injured.

“According to a witness, the man was burnt when setting his house on fire,” she said in a statement Saturday (June 18).

Rescuers preparing the victim, who is also a suspect, for treatment at the hospital.

She said the man sustained about 40% burns to his body and was later taken to the hospital for treatment.

DSP Nor said police had received a call about a fire at 10.36pm.

“Our team as well as firefighters reached the scene not long after that,” she said.

State Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Misran Bisara said the affected house was already engulfed in flames when firemen arrived.

“There was some trouble getting to the place due to the narrow roadway, forcing our men to switch vehicles some 2km in from the main road,” he said.

He said firefighters managed to bring the fire under control at about 11.10pm and operations ceased at around 12.10am.

“No other injuries or hazards were reported,” Misran said.