SIBU: Three people were burnt to death when fire swept through two wooden houses in Kampung Bahagia Jaya, in Jalan Burung Beliris on Tuesday (March 1) night.

       The victims were identified as Suriaty Abdullah, 20, Rashidah Suut, 80 and Abdullah Bus, 64.

       Sibu Bomba chief Janggan Muling said they received the call at 8.12pm.

       Sungai Merah Station immediately despatched 11 firemen in two engines to the scene.

       "The fire involved two wooden houses located next to each other and they were completely razed down by the fire," he said.

       He added the three victims were trapped in a room. Five others in the family managed to escape unharmed," he said.

       The five were aged between eight to 55 years old.

       "The bodies of the victims have been handed over to the police for further action," he said.

       Janggan said firemen took about 20 minutes to douse the flame.

       The cause of the fire, he said was still under investigation.