An MCA Youth leader in Penang lost his wife, two children and mother in a dawn blaze at his double-storey cluster house at Pintasan Cecil 5, Pangkalan Weld in George Town this morning.

According to Utusan Malaysia, Tanjung MCA Youth chief Lim Swee Bok was at work during the 6am fire.

It was reported that the charred remains of two women and a girl were found in the living room while that of a boy was found on the upper floor.

The victims in the incident were identified as Lim’s wife, Chen Yen, 35, their son, Yin Chun, 9, daughter, Jia Yiin, 8, and his mother Lau Sai Poh, 62, according to Bernama.

Lebuh Pantai Fire Station chief Mohd Rozairi Abdul Rahim said firefighters arrived at the scene about nine minutes after a distress call at 6.08am.

“The fire was blazing by then, and we took about 20 minutes to control and prevent it from spreading to the other houses. We managed to put out the fire completely by 7.10am,” he said.

Mohd Rozairi said the victims failed to escape as the fire had already spread, and that the house only had one door for entry and exit.

He said the remains were sent to Penang Hospital for post mortem, and that investigations are being conducted on the cause of the fire and estimated losses.

Northeast District Police chief ACP Anuar Omar stated that the whole house was secured with iron grills, which prevented the victims from escaping.

Family neighbour, Goay Cheng Hong, 38, told Bernama that he tried to help by shouting for them to get out of the house immediately.

"I awakened and noticed thick smoke...we quickly got out of the house and saw that Swee Bok’s house was on fire.

"My brother and I tried to enter the house to help while shouting for them to get out. But the fire was already blazing at the time so we could not get in,” he said, adding that he called the Fire Department thereafter.

Penang MCA chief Tan Teik Cheng, who was at the scene, announced an initial financial aid of RM10,000 for Lim.

He said a committee will be set up to determine how the party could help Lim rebuild his life.

“This is a very difficult time for Lim. We are sad on the passing of four of his family members.

“We will see how else we can help Lim rebuild his life,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

It is learnt that Lim’s father died just one week ago.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had also visited the scene of the incident and extended his condolences to the MCA Youth leader.