KOTA KINABALU: A distraught family managed to save their elderly mother from a raging fire but couldn’t get their father out in time.

       The victim – Godfrey Tozuu Moligan, 90, who could not walk – couldn’t be carried out in time as the flames were already too strong for anyone to return for a second rescue trip.

       His 89-year-old wife, Josepha Lojikim, managed to be brought out to safety but she suffered burns on her face and body following the 3am fire at Kampung Gunsing Novunsu in Penampang yesterday.

       Rescuers at the scene said that they were informed that Godfrey died in the tragedy, with his charred remains found in his room after firemen brought the fire under control.

       Four others in the house, Claulis Tozuu, 68, Charlene Peter @ Peteh, Cassella Peter, 33, and Rojianah Taimpim, 35, managed to escape with minor injuries, said State Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Misran Bisara.

       “The deceased and injured victim have been taken to the hospital for a post-mortem and treatment respectively, while the cause of the incident is still being investigated,” he said in a statement.

       Earlier, he said they received a call about the incident at 3.16am and a team from the Penampang fire station was dispatched to the scene.

       They received backup from the Kota Kinabalu and Lintas stations and managed to bring the fire under control at about 4.24am.

       “Fire extinguishing and rescue operations ended at 5.56am,” added Misran.